The leader of South Korea’s controversial Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, has been sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of bribery and other political funding offences.
Court Finds Church Gave Luxury Gifts
A court found that the church provided former first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, with two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace worth a combined 80 million won ($57,900; £42,500).
A special counsel investigating the case said the gifts were delivered between April and July 2022 in return for business and political favours.
Prosecutors described the investigation as the first time authorities had established that the church attempted to purchase political influence. They also released photographs showing about $19m (£14m) in cash discovered inside Han’s personal safe.
Han, 83, is the widow of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon. She has repeatedly rejected the allegations against her, describing them as false.
Former First Lady Also Convicted
Kim Keon Hee was sentenced earlier this year to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from the church.
Kim acknowledged receiving Chanel bags from the organisation but said she later returned them without using them. During questioning last August, she publicly apologised, saying she was sorry for causing concern among the public.
The case has highlighted longstanding questions about the church’s political connections in South Korea and abroad.
Church Known for Mass Weddings
The Unification Church, formally known as The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, was established in South Korea during the 1950s by Sun Myung Moon, who claimed to be the messiah.
The organisation became internationally known for mass wedding ceremonies, where thousands of couples were married in large stadium events involving Han and Moon.
Critics have characterised the organisation as cult-like, while lawyers have accused it of pressuring followers, commonly referred to as “Moonies”, to make substantial financial donations. Many church members consider that term offensive.
Political Links Under Scrutiny
The organisation attracted renewed attention in Japan following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The alleged attacker said the church had financially devastated his family and accused Abe of supporting the organisation.
The church has also maintained connections with politicians in South Korea, Japan and the United States. Several prominent political figures sent video messages to a 2021 event celebrating the church’s new think tank.
Those included US President Donald Trump, former US Vice-President Mike Pence and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as well as the mayors of Seoul and Busan.
The organisation has faced restrictions in several countries. It is banned in Singapore, while authorities in Japan have ordered it to dissolve.
