Key facts
- South Korean court sentenced Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han to two years in prison.
- Han was convicted of violating political funds laws, bribery, and embezzling church funds.
- The charges stem from allegations of providing luxury goods and money to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong.
- Kim Keon Hee was previously sentenced for receiving gifts from the church and stock price manipulation.
- The Unification Church plans to appeal the verdict.
A South Korean court has sentenced Hak Ja Han, the 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church, to two years in prison for corruption charges, including bribery and violating political funds laws. The Seoul Central District Court found Han, widow of church founder Sun Myung Moon, guilty of colluding with church officials to provide then-first lady Kim Keon Hee with luxury goods and giving lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong 100 million won in pursuit of political favors.
Kim Keon Hee had previously received a four-year prison term for accepting a diamond necklace and Chanel bags from the Unification Church, along with stock price manipulation charges unrelated to the church. A church official received a six-month sentence, and two others received suspended terms in connection with Han's case. Kweon Seong-dong was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court.
Despite the verdict, Han was out of prison due to health issues and her request for a suspended arrest until September 2. Special prosecutor Min Joong-ki had sought a 13-year prison term for Han, who is revered as "True Mother" by her followers. The Unification Church, known for its mass weddings, was founded in 1954 and has extensive business interests. The church stated it cannot accept the ruling and will appeal.
In a related development, a Tokyo court last year ordered the revocation of the Unification Church's legal status in Japan due to accusations of manipulative fundraising. This followed the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose killer cited his desire to expose politicians' ties to the church.
The investigations into the church-related scandal began after Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office following a Constitutional Court ruling in April 2025 concerning his imposition of martial law. Yoon had imposed martial law for six hours in December 2024, citing a need to eliminate "anti-state forces," but was forced to lift it after the National Assembly unanimously voted it down. Yoon defended his action as a desperate attempt to gain public support against the liberal opposition.