Seoul Central District Court: Han Hak-ja Prison Sentence South Korea for Bribery

• Han Hak-ja, 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church, received a two-year prison sentence from the Seoul Central District Court for bribery.
• The charges included providing luxury items to former first lady Kim Keon Hee for policy favors and illegal funds to former lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong.
• Han Hak-ja's arrest occurred in September 2025, and she appeared for sentencing in a wheelchair, returning to a hospital afterward due to medical issues.
• The Unification Church, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, plans to appeal the conviction, denying Han's knowledge or approval of unlawful acts.
• The church, founded in 1954 and known for its extensive business interests and political ties, has faced renewed scrutiny following the 2022 Shinzo Abe assassination.

A South Korean court has handed down a two-year prison sentence to Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church, following her conviction on bribery charges.

A South Korean court has handed down a two-year prison sentence to Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church, following her conviction on bribery charges. The Seoul Central District Court delivered its verdict on Monday, concluding a case that saw prosecutors initially seek a 13-year term for the influential figure. The charges against Han Hak-ja centered on allegations of providing luxury items, including a designer handbag, to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. These provisions were reportedly made with the intent to secure favorable policy outcomes.

Beyond the allegations involving Kim Keon Hee, the Unification Church leader also faced accusations of funneling illicit funds to Kweon Seong-dong, a former prominent lawmaker who is currently incarcerated for accepting bribes. Han Hak-ja, who was arrested in September 2025 in connection with the bribery case involving the former first lady, appeared for her sentencing in a wheelchair, dressed in hospital pajamas and a surgical mask, accompanied by aides. Following the verdict, she returned to the hospital, where a court order permits her to remain until Wednesday due to various medical conditions, including a heart ailment, pain from a fall, and glaucoma requiring treatment. Her legal team is reportedly considering further requests for a suspension of her sentence based on her health.

In response to the Han Hak-ja prison sentence South Korea, the Unification Church, officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, swiftly announced its intention to appeal the ruling. A spokesperson for the organization stated that they could not accept the court's finding that Han had either directed the alleged unlawful acts or was aware of and approved their illicit purpose. The church maintains its disagreement with the judicial outcome.

The court's decision underscored Han Hak-ja's pivotal role within the organization, with the ruling noting that a prison sentence was unavoidable given her position at the apex of the Unification Church. Founded in 1954 by Han's late husband, Moon Sun-myung, the church has long been a subject of scrutiny due to its significant business interests, which span media, education, and food distribution, as well as its extensive political connections within South Korea. Han, revered by followers as the 'True Mother,' assumed leadership of the church after Moon's passing in 2012, continuing its controversial teachings that regard Moon as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

With an asserted global following of 10 million adherents, the arrest of its leader in September 2025 sent shockwaves through the organization. The Unification Church is widely recognized for its distinctive mass wedding ceremonies, where couples of diverse nationalities are matched and married at its headquarters in South Korea. Members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification gathered for a rally titled 'One Mind Peace Rally for Religious Freedom and Peace' in front of the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace in Seoul on November 2, 2025, highlighting the church's continued public presence despite the legal challenges facing its leadership.

This Unification Church leader bribery conviction highlights the ongoing efforts in South Korea anti-bribery enforcement, particularly concerning high-profile individuals and their interactions with politically exposed persons. The case, involving allegations of providing luxury items to Kim Keon Hee for policy favors, underscores the severe legal consequences for leaders of influential organizations engaged in such activities. The church's long history of drawing scrutiny over its political ties in South Korea adds another layer of complexity to the verdict.

The organization has faced renewed public attention and controversy, notably after the 2022 assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The suspected gunman in that incident reportedly blamed the Unification Church for his family's financial ruin, bringing the church's practices and influence under intense international examination. The current legal battle surrounding Han Hak-ja's conviction and the church's vow to appeal ensure that the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification will remain a subject of significant public and legal interest.

This case highlights the severe legal consequences for leaders of influential organizations involved in bribery, particularly concerning political figures. Compliance officers should review anti-bribery and corruption policies, especially regarding interactions with politically exposed persons and gifts to public officials, to mitigate similar risks for clients or their own organizations.

Source: Original reporting via AFP