South Korea orders church leader back to prison over bail violation
Han Hak-ja was granted bail on condition that she remain at a Seoul hospital, but a local broadcaster showed her being driven to the church’s headquarters in an apparent breach of her bail conditions.
In a bribery case involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, South Korean court revoked the bail of Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church. Han, 83, was previously sentenced to two years in prison in August for providing luxury items to Kim in exchange for policy favors. She was released on bail two months later on health grounds, with the condition that she reside at a Seoul hospital.
However, footage broadcast by JTBC showed Han being driven from the hospital to the church headquarters, Cheonjeonggung Palace, prompting a review of her bail. The Seoul High Court ordered Han's bail revocation and the forfeit of her bail bond, citing her visits to the church headquarters as the reason for the decision. The Unification Church, founded in 1954 by Han's late husband Moon Sun-myung, has extensive business interests and political ties in South Korea.
Despite the church denying any wrongdoing, a spokesman stated that Han's outings were in accordance with doctors' advice and did not violate bail terms.
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