Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church, received a two-year prison sentence following conviction on bribery and political funding charges. The court determined that her organization provided Kim Keon Hee, wife of ousted South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, with luxury items including two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace valued at approximately 80 million won. A special counsel investigation established that these gifts were transferred between April and July 2022 in exchange for business and political advantages.
Kim Keon Hee had previously been sentenced to 20 months in jail for accepting the bribes. During questioning, she acknowledged receiving the Chanel bags but contended that she returned them without using them. She issued a public apology, expressing regret for the controversy surrounding her conduct.
Prosecutors characterized the investigation as a landmark case, marking the first confirmed instance of the church attempting to purchase political influence through official channels. Evidence recovered during the probe included photographs documenting approximately $19 million in cash discovered in Han’s personal safe.
The Unification Church, formally known as The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, was established in South Korea in the 1950s by Sun Myung Moon, who declared himself a messianic figure. The organization has maintained connections with high-ranking politicians across South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Han, who is the widow of the church’s founder, has consistently denied all allegations against her.
The church faces ongoing scrutiny internationally due to accusations of cultlike practices and allegations that it coerces members to make substantial financial donations. It has been banned in certain jurisdictions, including Singapore, and has been ordered to dissolve in Japan following the assassination of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, whose killer cited grievances against the organization.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI