Archive · 31 Aug 2026
South Korean Court Jails Unification Church Leader Over Influence Case
A South Korean court sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to two years in prison.
The case concerned money given to a politician and luxury gifts given to former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
Prosecutors said these actions were meant to help the church gain political influence.
Han said she did not know about the illegal actions and that subordinates were responsible.
The church also said Han did not direct or approve the conduct.
Kim acknowledged receiving Chanel bags through another person but denied making a political deal.
Han is currently not in jail because her lawyers obtained a health-related suspension of detention.
The church said it plans to appeal the decision.
Han Hak-ja was sentenced to a combined two years in prison for political funding and bribery offences.
The court found her involved in providing 100 million won to a ruling-party lawmaker before the 2022 presidential election.
The ruling also involved luxury goods, including Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, given to former first lady Kim Keon Hee through an intermediary.
Han denied wrongdoing, saying subordinates acted without her knowledge and that she had no interest in politics.
The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification rejected the ruling and said it would appeal; Han is not currently detained on health grounds.
- Who
- Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, and politicians linked to the case.
- What
- Han was sentenced to a combined two years in prison for political funding and bribery offences.
- When
- The sentence was issued on Monday, August 31; the article says the case followed probes launched after December 2024.
- Where
- The sentence was issued by the Seoul Central District Court in South Korea.
- Why
- The court said money and luxury goods were provided to support a favourable presidential candidate and secure political influence for the church.
Court and Prosecution
Han and Church Defense
Political funding and influence
Court and Prosecution
The court said the church used its financial power to support a favourable candidate in the 20th presidential election and then seek support for church policies and continued political influence.
Han and Church Defense
Han denied seeking political power and said she had no interest in South Korean politics.
Responsibility for the conduct
Court and Prosecution
The court found Han involved in providing money to a politician and luxury goods to Kim Keon Hee through an intermediary.
Han and Church Defense
Han said the contacts, money, and gifts were unauthorized actions by a former church official pursuing personal political ambitions.
Knowledge and approval
Court and Prosecution
The ruling held Han responsible for the offences described in the judgment.
Han and Church Defense
Han and the Family Federation said she did not direct, recognize, or approve the illegal purpose of the acts.
- Defendant
- Han Hak-ja, 83, leader of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, widely known as the Unification Church.
- Sentence
- A combined two years in prison: one year for violating the Political Funds Act and one year for involvement in giving luxury goods.
- Political payment
- 100 million won, approximately $72,934, was provided to a then-ruling-party lawmaker before the 2022 presidential election.
- Luxury goods
- The ruling referred to Chanel bags and a diamond necklace given to former first lady Kim Keon Hee through an intermediary.
- Prosecution request
- Prosecutors had sought a combined 13-year prison term.
- Current detention status
- Han is not currently detained because her lawyers obtained a health-related suspension of detention, which expires on Wednesday.
- Next step
- The Family Federation said it would appeal the ruling.