The intricate web of political influence and corruption in South Korea has once again come to light with the sentencing of a prominent religious figure. Hak Ja Han, the 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church, was handed a two-year prison sentence for bribing the former first lady and committing other corruption-related offenses.
The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court found Han, who is the widow of Sun Myung Moon—the founder of the Unification Church—guilty of several charges. These included violations of the political funds act, bribery, and embezzlement of church funds, as detailed in the court’s statement.
The court’s decision stems from Han’s arrest in September 2025, after which she was charged with collaborating with church officials to provide luxury gifts to Kim Keon Hee, then the first lady, during Yoon Suk Yeol’s presidency, in exchange for political favors. Furthermore, Han faced allegations of giving 100 million won (approximately $73,000) to lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong, a supporter of Yoon, in the months leading up to Yoon’s inauguration in May 2022.
The Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Kim Keon Hee, earlier this year, was sentenced to four years in prison by an appeals court for accepting a Graff diamond necklace and Chanel bags from the Unification Church, alongside unrelated charges of stock manipulation. Additionally, a church official received a six-month prison term, while two others were given suspended terms for their roles in Han’s case. Kwon’s involvement also led to a two-year sentence from South Korea’s Supreme Court in July.
Despite the verdict, Han remains out of prison due to a previous court-approved suspension of her arrest on health grounds until September 2. The prosecution, led by special prosecutor Min Joong-ki, had initially sought a 13-year sentence for Han.
Known as “True Mother” to her followers, Han is the supreme leader of the Unification Church, which has been officially renamed the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Following the court ruling, the organization expressed regret for the situation but announced plans to appeal the decision.
The Unification Church, founded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon, gained notoriety for its large-scale weddings and conservative teachings. Moon, who passed away in 2012, developed the church into a global movement with diverse business ventures. In Japan, the church faced a significant setback when a Tokyo court ordered the revocation of its legal status last year, citing manipulative practices. This decision came after the notorious assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe by an individual who sought to highlight the church’s connections with Japanese politicians.
Implications of the Yoon Administration’s Downfall
The investigation into the Unification Church’s ties began after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was deposed following a Constitutional Court decision in April 2025. The court cited his imposition of martial law, which had caused national unrest. Lee Jae Myung, Yoon’s successor, initiated special probes into Yoon’s martial law declaration and other allegations against his administration.
Yoon’s trial concluded with a life sentence in February for rebellion related to his martial law enforcement. On December 3, 2024, Yoon had abruptly enacted martial law, deploying military and police forces to the National Assembly with the intent of eradicating “anti-state forces” and silencing “North Korea sympathizers.” His actions were quickly overturned when the assembly unanimously rejected the martial law.
Despite the legal repercussions, Yoon has publicly defended his actions as an urgent measure to garner support against the opposition Democratic Party, which he accused of blocking his governmental agenda.
