Seoul: Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja has appealed her two-year prison sentence for bribing the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and other corruption charges, legal sources said Monday. Han's legal representatives submitted the appeal Friday, days after a Seoul court convicted the 83-year-old on charges of violating the anti-graft law, the political funds law, and embezzlement.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court found Han guilty last Monday of giving a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag to Yoon's wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee. The gifts were reportedly given in July 2022, and Han sought favors for the church through an intermediary. The court also convicted Han of colluding with former church officials to provide 100 million won (US$74,300) to Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the People Power Party in January 2022.
Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team, which had pushed for a 13-year prison term for Han, has also decided to appeal the court's ruling. The case continues to draw significant attention as both sides prepare for the next legal steps.