Controversial 'Moonies' Church Leader Sentenced to Two Years for Bribery

The leader of the Unification Church, a group widely known as the "Moonies," has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of bribery. Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old widow of the church's founder, Sun Myung Moon, was found to have given South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace worth 80 million won ($57,900; £42,500).

The court heard that Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was sentenced to 20 months in jail earlier this year for accepting bribes from the church. Kim admitted to receiving the luxury items from the church between April and July 2022, in exchange for business and political favors.

Han, who had repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them "false," was sentenced on Monday. A special counsel team appointed to the case said that Kim received the luxury products from the church in exchange for political favors, marking the first time authorities confirmed the church's attempt to buy influence in politics.

The investigation revealed that $19m (£14m) worth of cash was found in Han's personal safe, further solidifying the charges against her. South Korea's former first lady admitted to receiving the Chanel bags but said she later returned them without using them. She made a public apology during her questioning last August, stating, "I am truly sorry that a nobody like me has caused concern to the people."

The Unification Church, formally known as The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, was founded in South Korea in the 1950s by Sun Myung Moon, who proclaimed himself the messiah. The church is perhaps best known for its mass weddings, where thousands of couples were married by Han and her late husband in a stadium.

Critics have described the group as "cult-like," and lawyers have accused it of coercing devotees, known as "Moonies," to donate large sums of money. The term "Moonies" is considered offensive by many church members.

The Unification Church has faced scrutiny in Japan following the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe. The alleged assassin blamed the group for bankrupting his family and held a grievance against Abe for allegedly promoting it.

The church has extensive links to politicians in Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington, with various politicians sending video messages to its 2021 event congratulating the church's new think tank. The list included US President Donald Trump, former US Vice-President Mike Pence, Shinzo Abe, as well as the mayors of Seoul and Busan.

The group is banned in parts of the world, including Singapore, and has been ordered to dissolve in Japan. This recent conviction of Han Hak-ja marks a significant legal victory for South Korea and could potentially impact the church's influence in the region and beyond.