Seoul, South Korea – A South Korean court has sentenced Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han to two years in prison over political funding and bribery charges involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
On Monday, Han was sentenced by the Seoul Central District Court to one year for helping provide 100 million won with, or around (in Philippine Pesos), to a then-ruling lawmaker ahead of the 2022 presidential election in South Korea.
She received another one-year sentence over her involvement in providing luxury items, including Chanel bags and a diamond necklace to the former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
According to reports, the District Court found the 83-year-old Han guilty of the charges in an alleged effort to gain political influence.
Han denied the charges, saying she had no political interests.
Despite Monday’s verdict, she is currently out of detention after a court suspended her arrest because of her health.
The suspension is set to expire on September 2.
Meanwhile, the entire Unification Church said it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal.
It can be recalled that ex-lady Kim also received a four-year prison term on the same bribery charge together with charges that are unrelated to the church.