'Moonies' church leader jailed for two years over bribery offences

The leader of the controversial Unification Church has been sentenced to two years in prison for bribing South Korea's former first lady and other political funding offences.

A court found that Han Hak-ja's church gave Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, together worth 80 million won ($57,900; £42,500).

Earlier this year, Kim was sentenced to 20 months in jail for accepting bribes from the church.

Han, the 83-year-old widow of the Unification Church's founder Sun Myung Moon, had repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them "false".

A special counsel team appointed to the case said Kim received the luxury products from the church between April and July 2022, in exchange for business and political favours.

The prosecutors said the probe was the first time the authorities have confirmed the church's attempt at buying influence in politics, and released photos of $19m (£14m) worth of cash found in Han's personal safe.

South Korea's former first lady admitted to receiving Chanel bags, but said she later returned them without using them.

Kim made a public apology when she appeared for questioning last August: "I am truly sorry that a nobody like me has caused concern to the people."