Moonies' church leader jailed for two years over bribery offences

The leader of the controversial Unification Church has been sentenced to two years in prison for bribing South Korea's former first lady and other political funding offences.

Han Hak‑ja, 83, widow of Sun Myung Moon, was found guilty of providing Kim Keon‑Hee, the ex‑first lady, with Chanel bags and a diamond necklace worth 80 million won ($57,900). Prosecutors also uncovered $19 million cash in Han’s safe.

Kim had earlier received a 20‑month jail term for accepting bribes from the church. Han denied the allegations, calling them “false”, but was sentenced on Monday after a hearing.

The case marks the first time Korean authorities confirmed the church’s attempt to buy political influence. The Unification Church, founded in the 1950s, is known for mass weddings and has faced international scrutiny.

In Japan, the church was implicated in the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe, and has had to dissolve in the country.

Kim admitted to receiving the gifts and later returned them, promising that “no one like me has caused concern.”