A Seoul court sentences Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, 83, to two years in prison for bribery-related charges that involve former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s wife, Kim Keon Hee. The case centers on allegations that Han provided luxury items to Kim while seeking policy or other favors for the church.
The Korea Times and South China Morning Post report that prosecutors said Han gave Kim a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag (described as designer luxury items, including a handbag) in July 2022 through an intermediary. In addition to the first-lady-related allegations, Korea Times also reports a separate charge involving Han giving 100 million won to then-lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022 to obtain help for the church around Yoon’s election.
Korea Times adds that special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team sought a 13-year prison term, while the court imposed a shorter sentence. The Financial Times similarly summarizes the outcome as a two-year jail term stemming from the luxury bag bribery scandal. The sources align that the court’s decision follows a conviction in the matter.
