Korean court convicts Unification Church leader in political influence-buying scheme

A Korean court has convicted Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja for her role in a political influence-buying scheme involving money and gifts exchanged for help with the church's issues. While her two-year prison sentence was shorter than the 13-year term sought, the court acknowledged the reality of the church's lobbying efforts.

Han was found guilty on most of the major charges, including violating the Political Funds Act and Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Jeong Won-ju, Han's second-in-command, received a 16-month suspended sentence, and Yun Young-ho, the former director-general of the Unification Church's global headquarters, was sentenced to six months in prison.

The court found that the Unification Church provided gifts worth 80 million won, including a Chanel handbag, to former first lady Kim Keon-hee in exchange for favors related to the church's projects. The court also found that Yun gave 100 million won in political funds to former PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong with Han's approval.

Han was charged with funneling 144 million won to PPP lawmakers and others through contributions between March and April 2022, with around 100 million won approved by Han. The court acquitted Han of embezzlement charges linked to donations to the PPP. The Unification Church plans to appeal the ruling, and the joint prosecution-police team investigating the violations seized 10.5 billion won in church funds.