Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han sentenced to two years in prison

Unification Church Hak Ja Han Kim Keon Hee political bribery South Korea

The Seoul Central District Court has sentenced Hak Ja Han, leader of the Unification Church, to two years in prison. The ruling addresses charges of political bribery and illegal political funding aimed at expanding the church's influence.

Specifically, the court found Han guilty of providing 100 million won in political funds to former lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong and delivering luxury items, including Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. The court determined these actions were intended to secure political favors for the church.

Han, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, was also convicted of embezzlement related to these activities. However, the court acquitted her of charges involving the embezzlement of mission support funds and dismissed charges related to her gambling activities, citing jurisdictional limits.

This verdict follows the previous conviction of former first lady Kim Keon Hee, who received a prison sentence for accepting bribes from the church. The Unification Church has announced its intention to appeal the ruling.

Entities

Hak Ja Han · Kim Keon Hee · Seoul Central District Court · Unification Church · Yoon Suk Yeol

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities discovered approximately $19 million in cash in Han's personal safe. www.bbc.co.uk
[● 2 SOURCES] Kim Keon Hee's sentence was increased to four years in prison following convictions for additional charges including stock price manipulation. srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The court determined the bribery was intended to expand the Unification Church's political influence rather than for Han's personal gain.
[● 2 SOURCES] Han faced charges of embezzling church funds and destroying evidence related to gambling activities in the United States. srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Former first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from the church. www.bbc.co.uk · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
[● 14 SOURCES] The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han to two years in prison. www.bbc.co.uk · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.imaeil.com · www.jnilbo.com · +9 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Han was charged with instructing church officials to bribe Kim Keon Hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. www.bbc.co.uk · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The bribes provided to Kim Keon Hee included two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace worth approximately 80 million won. www.bbc.co.uk · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The court ruled the crimes were intended to expand the Unification Church's political influence. www.imaeil.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.newstomato.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The court found that the crimes were committed to expand the church's political influence rather than for Han's personal gain.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The court found the crimes were motivated by the church's desire to expand political influence rather than personal gain.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The court ruled the bribery was aimed at expanding the church's political influence.