A Seoul court convicted Hak Ja Han, leader of the Unification Church and widow of its founder Sun Myung Moon, of multiple offenses including violations of political funds regulations, bribery, and embezzlement of church assets. Han, referred to as “True Mother” by church members, was sentenced to two years in prison. She had been arrested earlier and remained out of custody pending the ruling due to health considerations.
The charges against Han centered on allegations that she and other church officials provided luxury goods to Kim Keon Hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, while Yoon was in office. Prosecutors claimed these gifts were given in exchange for political favors. Additionally, Han faced charges related to providing funds to a Yoon-aligned lawmaker prior to the president’s inauguration. A special prosecutor had sought a 13-year sentence. The court also imposed sentences on other church officials involved in the matter, with one receiving six months imprisonment and others receiving suspended sentences.
The Unification Church, officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, issued a statement apologizing for the controversy but indicated its intention to appeal the conviction. The organization was founded in 1954 by Moon, who followers believed held special religious significance and who established the church as an international movement with extensive business operations before his death in 2012.
The case emerged from investigations that began after Yoon was removed from office through a Constitutional Court ruling. The broader scandal involving the church and political figures occurred as Yoon faced legal consequences for imposing martial law. Separately, Kim received a four-year appeals court sentence for receiving gifts from the church and unrelated stock price manipulation charges. A lawmaker connected to the Yoon administration received a two-year sentence from the country’s highest court.
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