Overview
- The special counsel has asked the Seoul court to sentence Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to 13 years in prison on multiple charges that include bribery and violations of the Political Funds Act.
- Prosecutors allege Han arranged luxury gifts for former first lady Kim Keon Hee through an intermediary and colluded to deliver 100 million won to Rep. Kweon Seong-dong to win political favors tied to the 2022 election.
- The special counsel described the scheme as an effort to "realize unity between religion and state," saying defendants used large funds to intervene in elections and improperly influence public authority.
- The office also recommended multi-year terms for co-defendants, including a 10-year sentence sought for a former chief of staff and a 3.5-year term sought for former global headquarters head Yun Young-ho.
- Han denies the charges at trial and blames a former church official for some actions, and the court will weigh the special counsel's sentencing requests as the judicial process continues.