Han Hak-ja, president of the Unification Church, was sentenced Monday to two years in prison for violating political funds and solicitation laws [1].
The ruling highlights a significant legal crackdown on the intersection of religious funding and political influence in South Korea. It marks a rare instance of a high-profile religious leader receiving a prison sentence for attempting to sway government officials.
The Seoul Central District Court delivered the first-instance sentencing on Aug. 31 [1, 2]. The court said that Han used church funds to expand political influence, a move that violated the Political Funds Act and the Improper Solicitation Act [1, 3].
According to court findings, the total prison term of two years consists of one year for the Political Funds Act violation and one year for the Improper Solicitation Act violation [1]. The prosecution said that Han utilized church money to bribe political figures to secure the church's standing [1, 3].
Specific allegations included the delivery of luxury gifts to former First Lady Kim Keon-hee [1, 3]. Additionally, the court said that Han provided 100 million KRW to former lawmaker Kwon Sung-dong [1].
Further investigations revealed that Han used church funds to support split-off factions of the People Power Party [1, 3]. The court said that these actions were designed to exploit political opportunities to expand the church's reach and power [1].
This sentencing follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding the financial transparency of the Unification Church. The court's decision emphasizes that religious organizations are not exempt from laws governing the funding of political activities [1, 3].
“Han Hak-ja was sentenced Monday to two years in prison for violating political funds and solicitation laws.”
This verdict signals a tightening of judicial oversight regarding 'jeong-gyo-yuchak,' or the collusive relationship between religion and politics in South Korea. By penalizing the use of religious assets for political lobbying, the court is setting a precedent that may discourage other religious organizations from funding political factions or providing illicit gifts to state officials to gain institutional leverage.
