South Korea court gives Unification Church leader jail sentence for bribery

SEOUL – A South Korean court on Aug 31 sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to a combined two years in prison over political funding and bribery offences tied to alleged efforts to cultivate influence with former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration.Han Hak-ja, 83, was accused of providing luxury items, including a designer handbag to former first lady Kim Keon Hee while her husband Yoon Suk Yeol was president, in an attempt to secure policy favours.She arrived for sentencing at court on Aug 31 in a wheelchair, wearing pyjamas and a surgical mask, surrounded by aides.The Unification Church has a range of significant business interests, including media, education and food distribution, and has long drawn scrutiny over its political ties in South Korea.“We have confirmed that she has been sentenced to two years” by the Seoul Central District Court, a spokesman for the Unification Church said, adding that the church would issue a statement.Other allegations against Han include providing illegal funds to prominent lawmaker Kweon Seon-dong, a former floor leader of the opposition People Power Party.Founded in 1954 by Han’s late husband, Moon Sun-myung, the Unification Church has long drawn controversy over teachings that regard Moon as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.Han, revered by church members as the “True Mother”, took the helm of the church after Moon’s death in 2012. She was arrested in September 2025 in connection with a bribery case involving the former first lady.The Unification Church is known for its mass wedding ceremonies, in which couples of different nationalities are matched, held at its headquarters in South Korea.Han’s arrest rocked the church, which claims to have 10 million followers worldwide.Since her arrest, Han has repeatedly been transferred between a detention centre and hospital for medical treatment.The church came under renewed scrutiny in Japan after the 2022 assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, with the suspected gunman blaming the organisation for his family’s financial ruin. AFP