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In a significant legal ruling, the leader of the controversial Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, has been sentenced to two years in prison for bribery. The charges stem from allegations that her church provided luxury gifts to South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, in exchange for political favors.
The court found that the Unification Church, also known as The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, had given Kim two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, valued at approximately 80 million won ($57,900; £42,500). Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was previously sentenced to 20 months in jail for accepting these bribes.
Han, the 83-year-old widow of the church's founder, Sun Myung Moon, had repeatedly denied the allegations, dismissing them as "false." However, a special counsel team investigating the case determined that Kim received the luxury items from the church between April and July 2022, in exchange for business and political support.
Prosecutors described the investigation as the first time authorities had confirmed the church's attempt to buy influence in politics. They released photographs of $19 million (£14 million) worth of cash found in Han's personal safe, indicating the scale of the church's financial involvement.
South Korea's former first lady admitted to receiving the Chanel bags but claimed she returned them without using them. In a public apology, Kim expressed remorse, stating, "I am truly sorry that a nobody like me has caused concern to the people."
The Unification Church, which was founded in South Korea in the 1950s by Sun Myung Moon, has long faced criticism and accusations of being a "cult-like" organization. Critics have accused the church of coercing its devotees, known as "Moonies," to donate large sums of money. The term "Moonies" is considered offensive by many church members.
The church gained international attention after the assassination of Japan's former leader Shinzo Abe, with the alleged assassin blaming the group for bankrupting his family and holding a grudge against Abe for promoting it.
Despite its controversial reputation, the Unification Church has boasted extensive links to politicians in South Korea, Japan, and even the United States. Notably, various politicians, including former US President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, sent video messages congratulating the church's new think tank during its 2021 event.
The group is banned in some parts of the world, including Singapore, and has been ordered to dissolve in Japan. The South Korean government's decision to take legal action against Han Hak-ja and the Unification Church could further strain the church's relationship with political leaders and the public.
The sentencing of Han Hak-ja marks a significant victory for South Korean authorities in their efforts to combat corruption and political influence. It remains to be seen how this ruling will impact the future of the Unification Church and its influence on both a national and international scale.
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