Hak Ja Han sentenced to 2 years for corruption

The Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday sentenced Hak Ja Han, the leader of South Korea’s controversial Unification Church, to two years in prison for corruption. Han, the widow of the church’s late founder Sun Myung Moon, was convicted of violating the political funds act, bribery, and embezzling church funds.

The ruling follows a years-long investigation into the church’s financial practices and its ties to South Korea’s political elite. Prosecutors accused Han of using church money to fund her personal lifestyle and to influence political donations, including funneling funds to conservative lawmakers ahead of elections. The case gained traction after the 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan, which investigators linked to the church’s aggressive fundraising tactics. Han’s conviction marks a rare legal blow to the once-powerful religious group, which has faced decades of criticism for its opaque finances and alleged exploitation of members.

The court found Han guilty on multiple counts, including using church assets to pay for personal expenses like jewelry and luxury goods. Prosecutors presented evidence that she diverted at least $6.5 million from church funds between 2016 and 2021. Han, who denies wrongdoing, plans to appeal the verdict, arguing the charges were politically motivated. The church itself has faced declining membership and scrutiny in recent years, with former members filing lawsuits alleging coercive fundraising and psychological manipulation.

The sentencing could further weaken the Unification Church’s influence in South Korea and abroad. It also sends a signal that religious organizations are not above the law when it comes to financial misconduct. Legal experts say the case may embolden other victims of the church to come forward, while also putting pressure on its leadership to reform. For Han, the two-year sentence—though suspended on appeal—is a significant setback for a woman who has long been the public face of the church.