Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old leader of South Korea’s Unification Church, was sentenced to two years in prison on August 31 for bribery and political funding offenses by Seoul Central District Court [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The court ruled that given Han’s leadership role, a prison sentence was unavoidable [5].
Between April and July 2022, Han provided former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee with luxury gifts, including Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, valued at approximately 80 million won (about $57,900) in exchange for political favors [1, 3, 6]. Kim was sentenced to 20 months in prison in January 2026 for accepting bribes from the Unification Church, with her sentence later increased to four years by an appeals court after additional convictions, including stock price manipulation [1, 6].
Han Hak-ja was arrested in September 2025 amid the investigation of political bribery tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration [5]. She was indicted in October 2025 by a special prosecutor probing bribery and illegal political funding allegations [3, 6]. Due to medical issues including a heart condition and glaucoma, Han has been moved between detention and hospital custody [5].
The Unification Church, founded by Han’s late husband Sun Myung Moon in the 1950s, has long been controversial. It faces accusations of coercing donations and seeking political influence in South Korea, Japan, and the United States [1, 5]. The group drew intense scrutiny following the assassination of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, who had opposed the church [1].
A spokesperson for the Unification Church said, "We cannot accept the court’s finding today that Han instructed the acts in question or was aware of and approved their unlawful purpose" [5]. Kim Keon-hee expressed regret earlier, saying, "I am truly sorry that a nobody like me has caused concern to the people" [1].
Han Hak-ja’s sentencing marks the latest legal action in a broader crackdown on political bribery linked to the Unification Church. Kim Keon-hee’s appeals court sentence increase to four years came in April 2026 [6]. The case continues to unfold with additional hearings expected.
