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South Korea court sentences Unification Church leader to jail in political influence case
SG🏛️ PoliticsCenter4 hr. ago

South Korea court sentences Unification Church leader to jail in political influence case

A South Korean court sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to two years in prison for political funding and bribery offenses related to attempts to influence former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration. The ruling found Han involved in providing 100 million won to a lawmaker ahead of the 2022 election and gifting luxury items to former First Lady Kim Keon Hee. Han, 83, was indicted in October 2025 by a special prosecutor team investigating Yoon and Kim. The case emerged after Yoon was impeached in December 2024 for declaring martial law. Han denies wrongdoing, claiming subordinates acted without her knowledge, while the Unification Church disputes the court's findings and plans to appeal. Prosecutors previously sought a 13-year sentence, calling the conduct an unlawful religious-political alliance undermining democracy.

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Channel NewsAsia (CNA) logoChannel NewsAsia (CNA)State / PublicCenter4 hr. ago
South Korea court sentences Unification Church leader to jail in political influence case

A South Korean court sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to two years in prison for political funding and bribery offenses related to attempts to influence former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration. The ruling found Han involved in providing 100 million won to a lawmaker ahead of the 2022 election and gifting luxury items to former First Lady Kim Keon Hee. Han, 83, was indicted in October 2025 by a special prosecutor team investigating Yoon and Kim. The case emerged after Yoon was impeached in December 2024 for declaring martial law. Han denies wrongdoing, claiming subordinates acted without her knowledge, while the Unification Church disputes the court's findings and plans to appeal. Prosecutors previously sought a 13-year sentence, calling the conduct an unlawful religious-political alliance undermining democracy.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual legal proceedings without overt ideological slant. While the case involves politically sensitive elements, the reporting remains neutral in tone, citing both the prosecution's claims and Han's denials. The framing does not favor either side beyond presenting the legal指控和

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