South Korea court gives Unification Church leader jail sentence for bribery


Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja arrives for the sentencing hearing on allegations of bribery and political funding, at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, 31 August 2026. JEON HEON-KYUN/Pool via REUTERS

SEOUL, Aug ⁠31 (Reuters) - A South ⁠Korean court on Monday sentenced ‌Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to a combined two years ​in prison over ⁠political funding ⁠and bribery offences tied to ⁠alleged ‌efforts to cultivate influence with ⁠former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration.

The ​Seoul ‌Central District Court found ⁠that ​Han, 83, was involved in providing money to ⁠politicians and luxury goods ​to former first lady Kim Keon Hee through an ⁠intermediary, according to the ruling.

Han denied wrongdoing, saying she had no interest ​in politics ⁠and that subordinates had ​acted without her ‌knowledge.

(Reporting by Jack ​Kim and Joyce LeeEditing by Ed Davies)

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