Law & Justice
Unification Church leader gets two years for bribery
A South Korean court sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to two years in prison on Monday on charges of bribing officials, including former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
Han, 83, was accused of providing luxury items, including a designer handbag, to Kim while her husband, Yoon Suk Yeol, was president, in an attempt to secure policy favours. Other allegations against Han include providing illegal funds to Kweon Seon-dong, a once prominent former lawmaker who is now in prison for receiving bribes.
The Unification Church said it would appeal. In a statement to AFP, it said it could not accept the court's finding that Han instructed the acts or knew of and approved their unlawful purpose.
A church spokesman confirmed that the Seoul Central District Court had sentenced Han to two years. Prosecutors had sought a 13-year term.
Yonhap news agency reported that the court said a prison sentence was unavoidable because of Han's position and role at the apex of the church.
Han arrived for sentencing in a wheelchair, wearing hospital pyjamas and a surgical mask, surrounded by aides. She was arrested in September 2025 in connection with the bribery case involving Kim and has repeatedly been transferred between a detention centre and hospital for medical treatment.
After the verdict, Han returned to hospital. The court ruled she could remain there until Wednesday because of medical issues including a heart condition, pain from a fall and glaucoma treatment, according to the church. The church spokesman said any request for a further suspension would be discussed by her lawyers in light of her health.
The Unification Church was founded in 1954 by Han's late husband, Moon Sun-myung. Han took over after Moon's death in 2012 and is revered by members as the “True Mother”. The church, known for mass wedding ceremonies, claims to have 10 million followers worldwide and has long drawn scrutiny over its political ties in South Korea.
Update
The Unification Church said it would appeal and disagreed with the court's finding that Han instructed or approved the unlawful acts.
Yonhap reported the court said a prison sentence was unavoidable given Han's position at the apex of the church.
After the verdict, Han returned to hospital, where the court ruled she could remain until Wednesday because of medical issues including a heart condition, pain from a fall and glaucoma treatment.
A church spokesman said whether Han would seek a further suspension would be discussed by her attorneys in light of her health.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 07:51:35 UTC.
Update
A Unification Church spokesman confirmed that Han Hak-ja was sentenced to two years by the Seoul Central District Court.
Han arrived for sentencing in a wheelchair, wearing pyjamas and a surgical mask, according to AFP.
Other allegations include providing illegal funds to lawmaker Kweon Seon-dong.
Han was arrested in September 2025 in connection with the bribery case involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
The church said it would issue a statement.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 06:48:03 UTC.
Update
Yonhap identified the church leader as Han Hak-ja.
Yonhap reported that the sentence was two years in prison.
Han was accused of bribing officials, including former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
The accusations included providing luxury items, including a designer handbag, while Yoon Suk Yeol was president.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 06:06:44 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The outcome of the church's planned appeal is unresolved.
Whether Han will seek a further suspension because of her health has not been decided.
Source
AFP news report published on .