Court set to rule on Unification Church leader's bribery case involving ex-first lady

A Seoul district court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Monday in the bribery case involving Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja. The charges against the 83-year-old leader include giving luxury gifts to the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in exchange for favors for the church. According to prosecutors, Han allegedly presented a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag to then first lady Kim Keon Hee in July 2022 while requesting assistance through an intermediary.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team has requested a 13-year prison term for Han, arguing that his actions violated the constitutional separation of religion and politics. In addition to the gift-giving scandal, Han is accused of colluding with former church officials to provide 100 million won to then opposition party representative Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022.

Min's team claims Han sought Kweon's assistance in securing support for the church if Yoon, the PPP candidate, won the presidential election in March of that year. The Supreme Court had previously upheld a two-year prison sentence in July.