Han Hak-ja, president of the Unification Church (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification), who was brought to trial over alleged collusion with politicians, was sentenced in the first trial to one year in prison for violating the Political Funds Act and one year in prison for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement), respectively.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Agreement Division 27 (Presiding Judge Woo In-seong) handed down the sentence to Han on the 31st.
Former chief of staff Jeong Won-ju, who was indicted alongside Han, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, for violating the Political Funds Act. For violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and for embezzlement, Jeong also received eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
Former Unification Church headquarters director Yoon Young-ho was sentenced to six months in prison. Yoon's spouse, a person surnamed Lee, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for one year.
◇ Accused of delivering 100 million won to Kweon Seong-dong; also accused of providing valuables to Kim Keon-hee
Han, in collusion with former chief of staff Jeong and former headquarters director Yoon, was indicted on charges of delivering 100 million won in cash as political funds to former People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong around Jan. 2022. In Mar.–Apr. of the same year, Han was also accused of donating 144 million won in Unification Church group funds to People Power Party lawmakers and others.
Han is also accused of conspiring with former headquarters director Yoon to provide first lady Kim Keon-hee, on two occasions in July 2022, with valuables worth about 80 million won, including a diamond necklace by British jeweler Graff. Prosecutors also applied embezzlement charges, saying Unification Church funds were used to prepare the illegal political funds and the expensive valuables.
◇ Accused of ordering evidence destruction after obtaining probe details on Las Vegas gambling trip
Han and former chief of staff Jeong are also accused of ordering former headquarters director Yoon to destroy evidence after obtaining investigative information in Oct. 2022 related to a casino gambling trip in Las Vegas, United States.
Han was arrested and indicted last year. The court later granted a stay of detention due to health issues, and Han is currently in a hospital. The stay of detention is valid until 6 p.m. on Sept. 2.