South Korea Jails Unification Church Leader Han Hak-ja for Two Years Over Bribery Case

The leader of South Korea’s controversial Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of bribing public officials, including the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence on Monday, August 31, 2026, after prosecutors had sought a 13-year prison term for the 83-year-old religious leader. Han, who arrived at the hearing in a wheelchair wearing hospital clothing and a surgical mask, was accused of providing luxury gifts, including a designer handbag, to former first lady Kim Keon Hee in an effort to obtain political and policy favours.

Han was also accused of providing illegal funds to former lawmaker Kweon Seon-dong, who is currently serving a prison sentence for accepting bribes. The court said Han’s senior position within the organisation made a custodial sentence unavoidable.

The Unification Church, founded in 1954 by Han’s late husband, Moon Sun-myung, has extensive business interests spanning areas including media, education and food distribution. The organisation has also faced years of scrutiny over its political connections in South Korea and claims millions of followers worldwide.

Han, known among church members as the “True Mother”, took control of the organisation following Moon’s death in 2012. She was arrested in September 2025 over the bribery allegations involving Kim and has since been moved between detention facilities and hospitals for medical treatment.

The church rejected the court’s findings and said it would appeal the judgment. In a statement, it argued that there was insufficient evidence that Han ordered or knowingly approved the alleged illegal activities.

Following Monday’s ruling, the court allowed Han to remain in hospital until Wednesday because of health problems, including a heart condition, injuries from a fall and treatment for glaucoma. Her lawyers are expected to consider whether to seek a further suspension of her detention on medical grounds.

The case adds to the long-running controversy surrounding the Unification Church, which is particularly known for its mass wedding ceremonies. The organisation also faced renewed scrutiny in Japan following the 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after the suspected attacker blamed the church for his family’s financial difficulties.