South Korea Jails Unification Church Leader Han Hak-ja for Two Years Over Bribery
A South Korean court has sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, 83, to two years in prison, finding her guilty of corruption offences linked to the religious group’s efforts to gain political influence during the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence on Monday after concluding that Han was involved in providing luxury gifts to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and arranging illegal political funds for a former lawmaker. The ruling marks a major setback for the powerful religious organisation, which has faced years of scrutiny over its political and business connections in South Korea.
Prosecutors had sought a 13-year prison sentence, accusing Han of using the church’s considerable financial influence to cultivate political connections and secure favourable treatment for the organisation.
At the centre of the case were luxury gifts, including a Chanel handbag and a high-end necklace, delivered to Kim through an intermediary in 2022 while Yoon was president. Prosecutors argued that the gifts were intended to secure government assistance and policy favours for the church.
Han was also convicted over the provision of 100 million won in political funds to then-lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong. Kweon, a prominent former member of the conservative People Power Party, has separately been convicted of receiving illegal political funds and is serving a prison sentence.
The court imposed one year for violating the Political Funds Act and another year under anti-graft legislation, bringing Han’s total sentence to two years.
Han, the widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, appeared in court in a wheelchair, dressed in hospital clothing and wearing a surgical mask. Her lawyers have maintained that she did not knowingly authorise the illegal activities attributed to subordinates and have indicated that the church will appeal the verdict.
Despite the conviction, Han has not immediately been taken into custody because of ongoing health concerns. She has been moved between detention facilities and hospitals since her arrest in 2025, with authorities citing medical issues requiring treatment.
The case has placed renewed attention on the Unification Church, officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Founded in South Korea in 1954, the organisation has developed extensive interests beyond religion, including media, education, food distribution and other businesses, while its political relationships have repeatedly attracted controversy.
Han assumed leadership following Moon’s death in 2012 and remains one of the most influential figures within the movement. Her conviction now adds a significant legal blow to an organisation already facing heightened scrutiny over its political activities and international operations.
The two-year sentence is considerably lighter than the 13 years sought by prosecutors, but the verdict nevertheless establishes a criminal conviction against the church’s top leader and could have wider implications for the organisation’s political influence in South Korea
