Why did special counsel Min Joong-ki appeal Han Hak-ja’s two-year prison sentence?

The team said the sentence did not match the gravity of her crimes. It had asked the court for a 13-year prison term and also objected to the court treating Han’s efforts for world peace as a favorable sentencing factor.

What crimes was Han Hak-ja convicted of in the bribery case?

The Seoul Central District Court found her guilty of giving a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag to Kim Keon Hee while seeking favors for the church in July 2022. It also found she colluded with former church officials to give 100 million won to Rep. Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022.

What happened to Han Hak-ja’s detention status after the court ruling?

The special counsel separately appealed a court decision to extend Han’s suspension of detention until Sept. 30 because of health issues. Han has not yet filed her own appeal against the sentence.

Special counsel appeals Unification Church leader's sentence in bribery case

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Summary

Special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team on Friday appealed Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja’s two-year prison sentence in Seoul. The team said the punishment was too light for her crimes and had sought a 13-year term. Han was convicted of giving a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and of arranging 100 million won for Rep. Kweon Seong-dong. The team also appealed a court order extending Han’s detention suspension until Sept. 30.

Key Facts

The Seoul Central District Court convicted Han Hak-ja on Monday.
The court found she gave a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag to former first lady Kim Keon Hee in July 2022 through an intermediary.
The court also found her guilty of colluding with former church officials to give 100 million won to Rep. Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022.
Han has not yet filed an appeal against her sentence.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 4, 2026 3:59 pm KST

Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja leaves the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Monday, after being sentenced to two years in her bribery trial. Yonhap

A special counsel team on Friday appealed Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja's two-year prison sentence for bribing the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and other corruption charges.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team, which had sought a 13-year prison term for the 83-year-old, said it submitted the appeal, arguing the sentence did not match the gravity of her crimes.

The Seoul Central District Court on Monday convicted Han of giving a luxury necklace and a Chanel bag to Yoon's wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, while requesting favors for the church through an intermediary in July 2022.

It also found her guilty of colluding with former church officials to give 100 million won ($66,400) to Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the then ruling People Power Party (PPP) in January 2022.

Min's team said it was difficult to accept the sentence, objecting to the court citing Han's efforts for world peace as a favorable sentencing factor for her.

It also separately appealed a court decision to extend Han's suspension of detention until Sept. 30 due to health issues.

Han has yet to file an appeal against her sentence.

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