World News
Seoul court sentences Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to two years in prison
The 83-year-old leader was convicted of bribery for giving luxury items to South Korea's former first lady, a charge Han denies.
The short version
- A Seoul court sentenced Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church, to two years in prison for bribery and political funding offenses.
- The conviction stems from allegations that the church provided luxury gifts to South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, in exchange for political and business favors.
- Han has denied all wrongdoing, and her defense team has announced plans to appeal the court's decision.
Key facts
- The Seoul Central District Court sentenced 83-year-old Han Hak-ja, widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, to two years in prison for bribery.[Deutsche Welle · BBC News · ABC News]
- The court found that the church gave South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, luxury gifts including two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace worth 80 million won ($57,900) via an intermediary.[Deutsche Welle · BBC News]
- Special prosecutors alleged the luxury items were delivered between April and July 2022 to secure business and political influence.[BBC News]
- Former first lady Kim Keon Hee was previously sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from the church.[Deutsche Welle · BBC News]
- Han has consistently denied the allegations, calling them false, and her lawyers stated they will appeal the conviction.[Deutsche Welle · BBC News]
- During the investigation, prosecutors disclosed that they found $19 million in cash in Han's personal safe.[BBC News]
Sources
- 'Moonies' church leader jailed for two years over bribery offencesBBC News - Top Stories
- South Korea hands jail term to Unification Church leaderDeutsche Welle
- Seoul court sentences Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han to 2 years in prisonABC News - International