Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja goes on trial for allegedly bribing South Korea’s former first lady with luxury goods and illegal political payments
SEOUL: The leader of the Unification Church faces trial on Monday accused of bribing South Korea’s former first lady with luxury gifts including a designer handbag and diamond necklace.
Han Hak-ja’s September arrest shocked the church, which claims 10 million global followers and controls a vast business empire.
The 82-year-old defendant, known to followers as “holy mother”, also faces graft charges over cash payments to a lawmaker linked to disgraced president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Han has disputed all charges, telling followers in an August video message that “false claims are being spread that our church provided illegal political funds on my orders”.
“I want to state this clearly here… I have never ordered any unlawful political request or monetary transaction,” she said.
Han assumed leadership after her husband Moon Sun-myung’s death, who founded the church in 1954 after mainstream Protestant churches rejected him.
Moon claimed to be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, while followers are sometimes derisively called “Moonies”.
Han, who had 14 children with Moon, is referred to by followers as God’s “only begotten daughter” and the “holy mother”.
The church gained global prominence in the 1970s and 80s through mass weddings often held in stadiums.
It built a business empire spanning construction, food, education and media, including ownership of the Washington Times and Sunmoon University.
The church has faced repeated scrutiny over financial donations from members and political connections.
Japan took legal action this year to dissolve the Unification Church’s Japanese chapter after Shinzo Abe’s assassin reportedly held grudges against the church.
Han faces allegations she gave luxury goods worth approximately 82 million won (US$56,000) to Yoon’s wife Kim Keon Hee, who is herself under arrest for bribery and stock manipulation.
Prosecutors suspect Han conspired to pay 100 million won to a People’s Party MP in 2022 to seek favour with Yoon during his presidential campaign.
A separate trial begins on December 9 with Han charged with violating the political parties act.
Prosecutors believe she directed over 2,000 church members to join Yoon’s People Power Party ahead of a convention to influence its outcome.
Han was briefly released in November for eye surgery but has returned to pre-trial custody while seeking bail.
“We explained to the court that the charges against Han differ from the facts, and fully detailed the health difficulties she faces due to her age and medical conditions,” the Unification Church stated.
“Proper treatment and recovery are essential for uncovering the truth,” the church added. – AFP
