Seoul: The formal trial for Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, accused of bribery related to the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, is scheduled to begin in December, as announced by the Seoul Central District Court on Monday. The court indicated that the first hearing will take place on December 1, followed by one to two hearings each week. An additional preparatory hearing is set for November 18.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han was indicted earlier this month by a special counsel team on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act and the anti-graft law. The allegations suggest that Han conspired with a former church official named Yun to provide 100 million won (approximately US$69,700) to People Power Party Representative Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022. This payment was allegedly made in exchange for political favors for the church, contingent on Yoon’s successful election as president, which occurred in March of that year.
Further accusations against Han involve her purported involvement in presenting luxury items such as a necklace and Chanel bags to Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, while soliciting political favors. Han is also suspected of misappropriating church funds to purchase these gifts and of ordering the destruction of evidence related to an alleged overseas gambling investigation.
The preparatory hearing serves as a platform for the prosecution and the defendant to express their positions and organize future trial proceedings, and it does not mandate the defendant’s presence. Despite this, Han, currently in custody, opted to attend the session.