South Korean religious leader on trial on graft charges
Seoul (AFP) – The leader of one of South Korea's largest cult-like churches stood trial on Monday accused of bribing the country's former first lady with gifts including a designer handbag and a diamond necklace.
Issued on: 01/12/2025 - RFI
Han Hak-ja (pictured in April) took over leadership of the Unification Church after the death of her husband Moon Sun-myung, who founded the assembly in 1954 © Jung Yeon-je / AFP/File
The arrest of leader Han Hak-ja in September rocked the Unification Church, which claims to have 10 million followers worldwide and controls a sprawling business empire.
The 82-year-old defendant, known to her followers as "holy mother", also faces graft charges over cash payments to a lawmaker linked to disgraced president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Han appeared in court in a wheelchair wearing a face mask on Monday.
Her defence team denied that she had bribed former first lady Kim Keon Hee or that lawmaker, insisting the gifts were arranged by a former church official acting independently and without her knowledge, according to a transcript of the hearing.
"We do not accept any of the charges," her attorneys said.
Prosecutors rejected the claim, saying Han's alleged offence was "extremely egregious".
They said church members had donated to the organisation despite their financial hardship, only for the funds to be used for "bail payments and illicit political ties".
The arrest of leader Han Hak-ja in September rocked the Unification Church, which claims to have 10 million followers worldwide and controls a sprawling business empire.
The 82-year-old defendant, known to her followers as "holy mother", also faces graft charges over cash payments to a lawmaker linked to disgraced president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Han appeared in court in a wheelchair wearing a face mask on Monday.
Her defence team denied that she had bribed former first lady Kim Keon Hee or that lawmaker, insisting the gifts were arranged by a former church official acting independently and without her knowledge, according to a transcript of the hearing.
"We do not accept any of the charges," her attorneys said.
Prosecutors rejected the claim, saying Han's alleged offence was "extremely egregious".
They said church members had donated to the organisation despite their financial hardship, only for the funds to be used for "bail payments and illicit political ties".
Han Hak-ja, known to her followers as 'holy mother', faces graft charges over cash payments to a South Korean lawmaker linked to disgraced president Yoon Suk Yeol © Jung Yeon-je / AFP/File
In August, Han told her followers in a video message: "I have never ordered any unlawful political request or monetary transaction."
Han took over leadership of the Unification Church after the death of her husband Moon Sun-myung, who founded the assembly in 1954 after he was rejected by mainstream Protestant churches.
Moon claimed to be the second coming of Jesus Christ and the church has a rigid, hierarchical culture and its followers are sometimes derisively referred to as "Moonies".
'Only begotten daughter'
Han, who has 14 children with Moon, is referred to by followers as God's "only begotten daughter" and the "holy mother".
The church rose to global prominence in the 1970s and 80s, becoming known for mass weddings often held in stadiums.
Over the decades, it amassed a business empire that spans construction, food, education and the media, including the ownership of Washington Times and Sunmoon University.
But it also came under repeated scrutiny over how it obtained financial donations from members and its links to politicians.
Japan this year took legal action to order the Japanese chapter of the Unification Church dissolved, after the gunman who killed former prime minister Shinzo Abe was believed to have targeted him over grudges against the church.
In Seoul, Han will have to answer allegations that she gave luxury goods worth around 82 million won ($56,000) to Yoon's wife Kim, herself under arrest over charges of bribery and stock-market manipulation.
Han is also suspected of having conspired to pay 100 million won to a People's Party MP in 2022 in a bid to seek favour with Yoon, who went on to win the presidency that year.
A separate trial will open on December 9 with Han facing charges that she violated the political parties act.
Prosecutors believe she had directed more than 2,000 church members to sign up for Yoon's People Power Party ahead of a party convention to influence its outcome.
Han was briefly released in November to undergo eye surgery but has returned to pre-trial custody.
© 2025 AFP
In August, Han told her followers in a video message: "I have never ordered any unlawful political request or monetary transaction."
Han took over leadership of the Unification Church after the death of her husband Moon Sun-myung, who founded the assembly in 1954 after he was rejected by mainstream Protestant churches.
Moon claimed to be the second coming of Jesus Christ and the church has a rigid, hierarchical culture and its followers are sometimes derisively referred to as "Moonies".
'Only begotten daughter'
Han, who has 14 children with Moon, is referred to by followers as God's "only begotten daughter" and the "holy mother".
The church rose to global prominence in the 1970s and 80s, becoming known for mass weddings often held in stadiums.
Over the decades, it amassed a business empire that spans construction, food, education and the media, including the ownership of Washington Times and Sunmoon University.
But it also came under repeated scrutiny over how it obtained financial donations from members and its links to politicians.
Japan this year took legal action to order the Japanese chapter of the Unification Church dissolved, after the gunman who killed former prime minister Shinzo Abe was believed to have targeted him over grudges against the church.
In Seoul, Han will have to answer allegations that she gave luxury goods worth around 82 million won ($56,000) to Yoon's wife Kim, herself under arrest over charges of bribery and stock-market manipulation.
Han is also suspected of having conspired to pay 100 million won to a People's Party MP in 2022 in a bid to seek favour with Yoon, who went on to win the presidency that year.
A separate trial will open on December 9 with Han facing charges that she violated the political parties act.
Prosecutors believe she had directed more than 2,000 church members to sign up for Yoon's People Power Party ahead of a party convention to influence its outcome.
Han was briefly released in November to undergo eye surgery but has returned to pre-trial custody.
© 2025 AFP
Seoul mayor indicted over alleged illegal polling payments
Seoul (AFP) – South Korean prosecutors indicted the mayor of Seoul on Monday for allegedly violating political funding laws.
Issued on: 01/12/2025 RFI
Oh Se-hoon of the conservative People Power Party is now serving his fourth term as mayor of South Korea's capital and has long been tipped as a possible future presidential candidate © Jung Yeon-je / AFP/File
Oh Se-hoon of the conservative People Power Party is serving his fourth term as mayor of South Korea's capital and has long been tipped as a future presidential candidate.
Prosecutors accuse him of arranging for a supporter to cover the cost of opinion polling ahead of the 2021 by-election.
They said the 64-year-old mayor had a businessman pay 33 million won ($22,400) over five occasions to fund polls, in breach of the Political Funds Act.
The indictment was launched by a team of lawyers investigating alleged corruption linked to jailed former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
Oh has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the indictment as a "political scheme".
"This is a far-fetched case without a shred of direct evidence and will only end in acquittal," Oh said in a statement.
"I will stand firm alongside the people of Seoul," he added.
First elected Seoul mayor in 2006, Oh returned to office in 2021 following the death by suicide of successor Park Won-soon.
He has consistently topped recent opinion surveys for next year's local elections -- a race seen as a potential springboard for a presidential bid if he secures another term.
Under South Korea's election laws, a conviction carrying a fine of one million won or more would strip him of eligibility to run next year.
© 2025 AFP
Oh Se-hoon of the conservative People Power Party is serving his fourth term as mayor of South Korea's capital and has long been tipped as a future presidential candidate.
Prosecutors accuse him of arranging for a supporter to cover the cost of opinion polling ahead of the 2021 by-election.
They said the 64-year-old mayor had a businessman pay 33 million won ($22,400) over five occasions to fund polls, in breach of the Political Funds Act.
The indictment was launched by a team of lawyers investigating alleged corruption linked to jailed former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
Oh has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the indictment as a "political scheme".
"This is a far-fetched case without a shred of direct evidence and will only end in acquittal," Oh said in a statement.
"I will stand firm alongside the people of Seoul," he added.
First elected Seoul mayor in 2006, Oh returned to office in 2021 following the death by suicide of successor Park Won-soon.
He has consistently topped recent opinion surveys for next year's local elections -- a race seen as a potential springboard for a presidential bid if he secures another term.
Under South Korea's election laws, a conviction carrying a fine of one million won or more would strip him of eligibility to run next year.
© 2025 AFP
No comments:
Post a Comment