2025/2026: Han Hak-ja's Arrest & Related Investigations

[Peter Daley]

January 2026 Cont.

Jan. 28: Ex-First Lady Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Receiving Luxury Items From UC (The Korea Times)

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison on Wednesday after being convicted of receiving luxury gifts from a figure linked to the Unification Church in exchange for political favors.

Jan. 28: Former UC Head Gets 1 Year, 2 Months for Bribery (Chosun Daily)

Yun Young-ho, former world head of the Unification Church, who is accused of offering bribes to former first lady Kim Keon-hee, the spouse of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and Kweon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, was sentenced to 1 year and 2 months in prison in the first trial. Earlier, the Min Joong-ki special prosecutor team had demanded a prison sentence of 4 years for Yun. ...

The court also found Yun guilty of offering 100 million Korean won to Representative Kweon on January 5, 2022, asking him to use it for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was the People Power Party's presidential candidate at the time (violation of the Political Funds Act).

Additionally, the court considered a photo found on the mobile phone of Yun's spouse, Lee Mo, showing 100 million Korean won in cash packed into two boxes, each containing 50 million Korean won, as having probative value.

Jan. 28: People Power Party Lawmaker Sentenced to Two Years for UC Funds (The Chosun Daily)

Kweon Seong-dong, a People Power Party lawmaker accused of receiving 100 million Korean won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church, was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay a 100 million Korean won confiscation fee in the first trial.

Jan. 28 The Rise & Fall of South Korea's First Lady (The New York Times)

Jan. 29: Accountability, Not Religious Persecution (Steven Hassan for The Korea Times)

Jan. 29: UC Leader Ordered Necklace Gift to Former First Lady (The Chosun Daily)

[Peter Daley]

February 2026

Feb. 2: PM Takes Aim at Religious Groups' Interference in Politics (The Korea Herald)

"The collusion between the political establishment and cults seeking private gains, which can hardly be called religious groups, must be eradicated," Kim said. "I think all ministries must work to identify and screen out instances of cults interfering with policy or profiting from it."

Feb 2: Korean Christian Council Warns Anti-Discrimination Bill Threatens Religious Freedom (Asia Today: Translated by UPI - Owned by Preston Moon)

Feb. 3: Special Prosecutor Appeals UC Bribery Sentences (The Chosun Daily)

Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki appealed on the 3rd against People Power Party Representative Kweon Seong-dong, who was sentenced to a prison term in the first trial on charges of receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church. The special counsel also appealed the same day against former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yun Young-ho, who was sentenced to a prison term for allegedly handing over the money to Representative Kweon.

The special counsel stated that regarding the first-instance rulings for the two individuals, "it is difficult to consider the sentences as corresponding to their culpability."

Feb. 4: Korean Unification Church's Links to Nepal Come Under New Scrutiny (The Kathmandu Post)

Feb. 4: Yamagami Sentencing Reveals Japan's Troubled Response to Religious Cult (Nippon)

Feb.5: When Politicians Issue Verdicts Before The Courts Do — Korea Barely Blinks (Michael Breen for The Korean Times)

Feb. 10: Prosecution Lists 11 Lawmakers in Unification Church Split Donation Case (The Chosun Daily)

Feb. 11: UC leader Temporarily Released from Detention Over Health Issues (Yonhap News)

Feb. 11: Court Suspends UCLeader's Detention on Health Grounds (The Chosun Daily)

Feb. 11: Former DP Lawmaker Summoned for Questioning in UC Probe (KBS World News)

Feb. 21: Court Denies Han Hak-ja's Detention Suspension Extension (The Chosun Daily)

Feb. 22: UC Leader Returns to Behind Bars After Temporary Release Over Health Issues (The Korea Times)

Feb. 23: UC Ex-Secretary Summoned Over Political Funds (The Chosun Daily)

Feb. 24: Shaman Jeon Seong-bae Sentenced to Six Years in UC Bribery Case (The Chosun Daily)

Feb. 24: Shaman Linked to Ex-First Lady Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Taking Bribes (Yonhap News)

[Peter Daley]

March 2026

March 5: YOU'RE NEXT: Do Nothing (The Monarch Report/UC Members)

In Japan, a court dissiolved a religious organisation with millions of members. In China, churches were raided across seven cities on the same day. Muslims, Buddhists, and Christains face the same machine. ... And in North Korea, owning a bible is allegedly punishable by death. South Korea is just starting. Japan has set the legal precedent. China is the origin. North Korea is the end. Same road, different mile makers, and people from every faith are on it.

March 6: Japanese Court Dissolves UC. Will Korea Be Next? (UPI - Owned by Preston Moon)

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung ordered the Ministry of Government Legislation to review the legal grounds for dissolving religious foundations that violate the constitutional principle of church-state separation last December. That scrutiny will likely intensify in the wake of Japan's decision.

Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon, eldest living son of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Movement, said such scrutiny is called for. In a recent interview held in Korea, he broke his 15-year silence on the matter, stating that the Unification Church is a "criminal entity" and that the Korean government should dissolve the organization and remove its religious status.

"No religious, sincere people of faith would have done all the things that the Unification Church did in the name of religion." Dr. Moon expressed support for the dissolution proceedings already underway in Japan and potentially forthcoming in Korea.

He explained that his father never intended to create another traditional religion or denomination but envisioned a movement of high ideals based on universal principles and shared values. As he worked closely with his father as the sole legitimate heir to his spiritual authority, he said, leaders and elders within the movement resisted reforms and instead, established the Unification Church as an institutional religious structure. The internal division arose as a result, according to Moon. "They hijacked key movement entities, and I chose to continue the path that our movement was always on."

While supporting the dissolution of the Unification Church's religious status, Moon expressed his intent to reclaim the entire organizational foundation built by his father, himself, and by sincere members worldwide and reform the entities to serve their original purposes.

March 6: Japan Court Dissolves UC; Korea Branch Could Face Financial Strain (The Korea Times)

[Peter Daley]

March 2026 Cont.

March 6: Japan Court Dissolves UC; Korea Branch Could Face Financial Strain (The Korea Times)

March 10: Yun Young-ho Reveals Han's Reinstatement, Legal Support Offer (The Chosun Daily)

Yun Young-ho, the former global head of the Unification Church, stated that he received proposals from the side of UC leader Han Hak-ja, including reinstatement into the church and support for legal fees, in exchange for favorable testimony. ...

Later, Yun stated that Han's defense team requested him to write a self-surrender statement. "They asked me to write a statement clarifying that there was no directive from Han," Yun said. When he did not respond, a second proposal followed.

According to Yun, Han's defense team proposed withdrawing the complaint against his spouse, former finance department head Lee, if he wrote the self-surrender statement. The Unification Church had filed a police complaint against Lee, accusing her of embezzling approximately 2 billion Korean won in church funds between 2021 and 2023.

March 13: UC Official Denies Delivering Funds to Lawmaker (The Chosun Daily)

March 14: Editorial - Has South Korea Become a Haven for Criminal Suspects? (The Chosun Daily)

March 17: Leading From The Shadows: The Increasing Influence of The Korean UC (Nathan Lee for International Relations Review)

March 18: UC Leader Yun Young-ho Awaits Appeal Verdict on Bribery, Embezzlement (Chosun Daily)

March 19: Investigators Question Ex-Oceans Minister in UC-Linked Bribery Case (Yonhap News)

March 20: Democratic Party Lawmaker Chun Jae-soo Questioned 18 Hours Over UC Bribery (Chosun Daily)

March 23: UC Leader Han Denies Illegal Orders in Trial Clash with Yun (The Chosun Daily)

Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, under suspicion of "collusion between religion and politics," engaged in a heated exchange with former global headquarters director Yun Young-ho during a trial.

Criminal Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (Judge Woo In-sung presiding) held a public hearing on the 20th for Han, former chief of staff Jeong Won-ju, Yun, and others, who face charges including violation of the Political Funds Act. During the trial, cross-examination of Yun took place.

Han's remarks emerged while Yun testified about securing congratulatory messages from figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump for church events. Han's defense attorney asked Yun, "Did you report to Han about the details of securing politicians?" Yun replied, "I reported because the amount needed to be decided." Han countered, "I was not informed" and "I don't remember, I can't do it." ...

Later, Yun testified about alleged illegal instructions, claiming Han ordered funds to be sent for lobbying in South America. Han pressed Yun, "Why bring up South America now?" This marked the first time Han directly reacted to Yun's testimony.

The above mention of securing Donald Trump's congratulatory message refers to this:

April 5, 2024: The UC Infiltrated Japan's Government. Now Its Sights Are Set on the US (Time Magazine)

Trump received around $2.5 million to make that and two other video appearances between 2021 and 2022, while former Vice President Mike Pence was paid $550,000 for speaking at a UPF event. In May, Trump sent another video message to a UPF event.

March 23: Mother Of Peace?: The Sordid Legacy of UC Leader Hak-ja Han (Former UC Member Sansu The Cat for Medium)
Note: This is very detailed and very good.

March 24: Chun Jae-soo's Acquaintance Repaired UC's Cartier Watch (The Chosun Daily)

March 28: UC Leader Han Hak-ja Secures Third Temporary Release (The Chosun Daily)

March 28: Democratic Party Includes Chun in Busan Primary Despite Probe (The Chosun Daily)

[Peter Daley]

March Cont. & April 2026

According to some Facebook posts by members:

March 31: Dr. Hak Ja Han, Co-Founder of the Universal Peace Federation, Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (Wolfgang Werner/Facebook)

A recognition of her peacebuilding work in relation to dialogue, humanitarian service, and international cooperation Dr. Hak Ja Han, co-founder of the Universal Peace Federation, has been nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in the category of Peace and Fraternity between Nations. The nomination was formally submitted by Dr. Jan Figel, former European Union Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief and acting President of FOREF Europe (Forum for Religious Freedom Europe).

From Dr Jan Figel's Wikipedia:

Figeľ has long maintained close cooperation with the Unification Church, participates in its events, and has been listed among the movement's VIP politicians. Unification Church is a new religious movement that many experts describe as a cult and has been associated with cases of political corruption in South Korea. In 2023, Figeľ was awarded the title of doctor honoris causa by the HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership in New York, which is associated with the Unification Church. In 2025, Figeľ became chairman of the organization FOREF Europe, which is also closely linked to the Unification Church.

March 31: 'Unification is 2nd Miracle on Han River': Global Peace Foundation Head (The Korea Times)

Global Peace Foundation (GPF) founder and Chairman Hyun Jin Preston Moon said the two Koreas' unification would not be an economic disaster but could instead create a "second Miracle on the Han River" by expanding Korea's domestic market....

His mother, Han Hak-ja, was arrested on charges including alleged political funding violations and accusations of improper ties with former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his spouse around the 2022 presidential election. Han is currently being held at Seoul Detention Center.

Moon also criticized current Unification Church leaders such as Yoon Young-ho, a former director-general at the church's world headquarters, and Jeong Won-ju, former chief of staff to the church president, questioning their qualifications while accusing them of consolidating power within the organization.

On the question of his mother's legal culpability, Moon said current leaders had placed her in a position of formal responsibility while exploiting her role. While his mother may have violated the law, he argued, she did not intentionally direct any wrongdoing.

"I believe my mother is, like my two brothers, another victim created by the church's midlevel leaders," he said. "She had been protected within the church structure for decades and was likely unaware of the legal risks she faced." He added that he has repeatedly offered to help free her from detention.

"I reached out to the current leadership multiple times with offers to help," he said. "But they were so afraid of my mother and me meeting that they did not respond at all." He said that church leaders view him and the GPF as adversaries and have filed more than 30 lawsuits against him, while he has only responded in defense. Asked whether he has visited Han in detention, Moon said legal complications made a meeting difficult unless she requested one first.

April 3: Prosecutors Demand Four-Year Sentence for Yun in Church Bribery Appeal (The Chosun Daily)

Yun's defense team countered, "While the defendant carried out the crime, he did not lead it," and claimed, "It was solely for the sake of Chairman Han Hak-ja, a symbolic figure within the Unification Church." They argued that Yun merely followed Chairman Han's instructions. Additionally, Yun's defense team argued, "The first trial reflected the defendant's sincere cooperation with the investigation in the sentencing," and insisted, "This should be considered as a mitigating factor."

Yun himself, given the opportunity to speak, stated, "I am sorry for causing controversy and feel a great sense of responsibility," and added, "As I have consistently testified to reveal the substantive truth of the religious group, I request the court's leniency to allow me to be with my family."

April 8: Special Counsel Seeks 15-year Prison Term For Ex-First Lady Oover Church Bribery, Stock Manipulation

A special counsel team on Wednesday sought a 15-year prison term for former first lady Kim Keon Hee, appealing a lower court ruling that convicted her of taking bribes from the Unification Church but acquitted her of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and of illegally receiving opinion polling data for free.

A lower court in January sentenced Kim to one year and eight months in prison and ordered the forfeiture of 12.8 million won ($8,700) after finding her guilty of receiving bribes from the Unification Church.

Some good news Han Hak-ja & The UC:
April 10: Chun Jae-soo Cleared of Unification Church Charges (Chosun Daily)

A joint police-prosecution task force (headed by Kim Tae-hoon, chief of the Daejeon High Prosecutors' Office) investigating allegations of financial misconduct involving the Unification Church announced on the 10th that it had cleared all current and former lawmakers accused of receiving funds. The case involving Chun Jae-soo, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker and Busan mayoral candidate, who was suspected of receiving a luxury watch, was dismissed due to "lack of prosecutorial authority."

Criticism emerged in legal circles after the former lawmaker was cleared only after securing his nomination, with some claiming the task force had "granted immunity to ruling party power figures." The task force's swift announcement of its conclusion—just one day after the former lawmaker was confirmed as the Busan mayoral candidate—fueled perceptions of timing-driven leniency. ...

Former lawmakers Lim and Kim were accused of each receiving 30 million Korean won from the Unification Church in April 2020 (violating the Political Funds Act). The task force acknowledged their "ongoing relationships with the Unification Church, including event attendance," but dismissed the charges due to "unclear specifics about the amounts or circumstances of the funds." Consequently, Unification Church figures suspected of providing the funds—including President Han Hak-ja, former secretary Jeong, and former chief Yun—were also cleared.

However, the task force indicted four aides to the former lawmaker without detention for allegedly destroying evidence by wiping computers and damaging hard drives at their Busan district office ahead of a raid. It remains unclear whether the aides acted on the former lawmaker's orders.

April 10: Joint Task Force Clears Jeon Jae-su of Unification Church Allegations; Opposition Cries Foul (Seoul Economic Daily)

April 10, 2026: A Nobel Peace Prize for Religious Liberty (Massimo Introvigne for The Washington Times)

April 11: Chun Cleared, Aides Indicted for Evidence Destruction (The Chosun Daily)

A legal professional remarked, "How can aides who destroyed evidence to cover something up be indicted, while the politician accused of crimes is cleared?"

April 13: PPP Reviews Legal Action Against Joint Investigation Team Chief (The Chosun Daily)

April 13: Korean Church Law Association Urges Withdrawal of "Bill to Prevent Church-State Collusion" (Asia Business Daily)

Furthermore, the association criticized the bill for failing to adequately address the core harms perpetrated by anti-social religious organizations—such as gaslighting, extortion of offerings, and family destruction—while instead providing grounds for dissolution based on politically contentious criteria like "church-state collusion" or violations of the Public Official Election Act.

The association also noted that in the case of the dissolution of the Unification Church in Japan, the main reason was not political collusion, but rather the prolonged, systematic extortion of illegal donations.

April 17: Why Korea's New Religion Bill is Rattling Protestant Churches (The Korea Times)

The Korean Society of Church Law proposed a special law explicitly targeting Shincheonji and the Unification Church, though critics argue that singling out specific groups sets a dangerous precedent.

Instead, experts advocate for victim support and public awareness over legal punishment, pointing to Britain's Information Network Focus on Religious Movements and Japan's National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales — or deceptive religious fundraising — as models.

[Peter Daley]

April 2026 Cont.

I was actually wondering about the "alleged" illegal gambling. I recall members posting a justification for it: raising money for charity. I'll have to see if I can find mention of that.

April 20: Special Counsel Raids Police Over UC Cover-Up (The Chosun Daily)

The comprehensive special counsel announced that they conducted raids on the National Police Agency, Gangwon Provincial Police Agency, and Chuncheon Police Station from the morning of that day. It was reported that the special counsel sent prosecutors and investigators to secure materials related to the suspicion of covering up the investigation into the Unification Church's overseas gambling case.

The suspicion of covering up the Unification Church investigation centers on the fact that the Chuncheon Police Station, despite obtaining intelligence in June 2022 that Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja and other executives gambled an amount worth 6 billion Korean won at a Las Vegas casino in the U.S. from 2008 to 2011, did not conduct an investigation. It was also confirmed that the Unification Church side, having prior knowledge of the related content, destroyed evidence and prepared for the investigation.

April 22: Special Counsel Secures Yoon Hee-geun's PC in Cover-up Probe (The Chosun Daily)

The second comprehensive special counsel raided the National Police Agency and others on the 21st to verify whether former National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoon Hee-geun was involved in allegations of covering up the investigation into the Unification Church....

April 27: Ex-UC Official Gets Longer Prison Term During Appeal Over Gifts to Former First Lady (Korea JoongAng Daily)

The appeals court found Yun guilty of giving a Graff diamond necklace worth 62.2 million won ($42,200) and a Chanel bag worth 12.7 million won to Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, in July 2022 while requesting favors on various issues related to the church.
 
It also ruled that he gave 100 million won in illegal political funds to Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the now main opposition People Power Party — a close political ally of Yoon — in January 2022.
 
The court overturned the lower court's acquittal of Yun from charges of embezzling church funds to gift a separate Chanel bag to Kim in April 2022, finding him guilty of embezzlement, which apparently led to his increased sentence.

A little late to protect Mother Han perhaps, and a leopard's spots are not so easily changed:
April 27: UC in South Korea Declares Political Neutrality, Bans Electioneering (Chosun Biz)

It also warned, "All legal responsibility arising from violations of the guidelines lies with the individual actor, and in the case of pastors and public officials, we state that they will be strictly disciplined without exception in accordance with internal regulations."

April 27: Ex-UC Official Gets Heavier Prison Term During Appeal Over Gifts to Ex-First Lady (The Korea Times)

April 28: Appeals Court Sentences Rep. Kweon to 2-Year Prison Term Over Funds From UC (Yonhap News)

The Seoul High Court handed down the sentence after finding him guilty of accepting 100 million won (US$68,000) from a church official seeking favors from the former administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

[Peter Daley]

May 2026

May 4: Special Counsel Appeals Four-Year Sentence for Former First Lady Kim Keon-hee (The Chosun Daily)

Alongside this, the special counsel team also filed an appeal on the 30th of last month against the appellate court's ruling on Yun Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church's global headquarters, who was indicted for providing illicit funds to Kim and People Power Party Representative Kweon Seong-dong in exchange for favors regarding Unification Church-related issues. Yun had received a heavier sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison at the appellate trial on the 27th of last month, compared to the first trial's 1 year and 2 months.

May 6: Investigators Raid UC Sites Over Leader's Alleged Embezzlement (Yonhap News)

Investigators on Wednesday launched a raid on more than 10 sites affiliated with the Unification Church over allegations its leader Han Hak-ja embezzled church funds, legal sources said. ...

The team suspects Han may have used the money to create a slush fund and has sent investigators to Cheon Won Gung and Cheon Jeong Gung, the church's sacred sites in Gapyeong, about 55 kilometers northeast of Seoul, as well as its Seoul headquarters and other locations.

May 6: Presiding Judge of Ex-First Lady's Appeals Trial Found Dead (The Korea Times)

May 6: Korea Joint Unit Raids UC Over Han Hak-ja Embezzlement (Chosun Biz)

This raid differs in nature from the existing allegations under the Political Funds Act. Earlier, the unit raided Unification Church facilities over suspicions that the church provided money and valuables to political figures. That investigation focused on confirming the nature of funds that flowed to outside political circles. In contrast, the current probe appears aimed at determining how internal church funds were siphoned off and, ultimately, to whom they accrued.

May 21: Appeals Court Jails Geonjin Jeon Seong-bae 5 Years in UC Bribery Case

Jeon Seong-bae, known as "Geonjin," who was indicted on charges of colluding with Kim Keon-hee to receive money and valuables from the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church) along with requests to handle church agenda items, was sentenced to five years in prison on appeal. That is one year less than the first-trial sentence of six years in prison. ...

The sentence was reduced because Jeon admitted part of the charges during the trial and submitted evidence. The court found that Jeon's statements and evidence submission fall under mandatory mitigation grounds in the Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor law. "After this case was indicted, the defendant admitted to providing money and valuables to Kim Keon-hee and appeared as a witness at Kim Keon-hee's first trial to acknowledge delivering the valuables, which became key evidence," the court said.

May 29: Special Counsel Searches Ex-Police Chief Over UC Probe (The Chosun Daily)

May 29: Integrated Special Prosecutor Raids Former Commissioner General Yoon Heekeun Over UC Investigation Cover-Up Allegations (The Asia Business Daily)

[Peter Daley]

July 2026

July 3: Trial for Kim Geon-hee Begins July 14 Over Alleged Election Interference (Asia First News Agency)

The trial of Kim Geon-hee, accused of attempting to influence elections by enrolling members of the Unification Church ahead of the People Power Party's national convention, will officially commence next month.

On July 3, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 27, led by Judge Woo In-seong, held a preparatory hearing for the trial of Kim Geon-hee, Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, Jeon Seong-bae (known as Geon-jin Beopsa), former Unification Church Secretary General Jeon Won-joo, and former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho, who are all charged with violating party law. ...

The court announced that the first trial will begin on July 14, with evidence collection expected to start soon after. A verdict is anticipated by December 11 at the latest ...

July 9: Supreme Court Jails Ex-UC chief Yoon Young-ho for Bribery (Chosun Biz)

July 10: Special Counsel Seeks 13-Year Prison Term For UC Leader in Bribery Case (Yonhap News)

July 10: UC Leader Han Hak-ja Faces Closing Arguments in Church-Politics Collusion Case (Seoul Economic Daily)

July 16: Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Accepting 100 Million Won from UC, Loses Parliamentary Seat (SBS News)

July 16: PPP Lawmaker Loses Seat After Court Finalizes Two-Year Prison Term for Accepting Illegal Funds (Yonhap News)

July 21: Ex-Police Chief Grilled by Special Counsel (Yonhap News)

July 21: Former Police Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun Summoned Again by Special Counsel Over Alleged Cover-up of UC Probe (SBS News)

Aug. 10: Kim Keon-hee Admits to Accepting Luxury Bag: "No Memory of Delivery, Found Later at Presidential Residence" (The Asia Business Daily)

[Peter Daley]

August 2026

Aug. 11: Nine UC officials Indicted Over Alleged Illegal Political Donations (The Korea Times)

Aug. 11: Korea Indicts 3 UC Leaders for Illegal Donations to 132 Politicians (Chosun Biz)

... As a result, the Unification Church had many politicians attend events it hosted and illegally donated political funds under the personal names of church officials. The task force found that from Sept. 2019 to Jan. 2025, the church made a total of 218 illegal donations amounting to about 188 million won to 132 politicians, including National Assembly members.

Aug. 11: Joint Investigation HQ Indicts Nine Including Yoon Youngho of UC ... Illegal Donations of 188 Million Won to 132 Politicians (Asia Business Daily)

Aug. 11: UC Officials Indicted for Illegally Donating 180 Million Won to 132 Politicians (SBS News)

Aug. 12: S. Korea Indicts Three Unification Church Officials Over Political Donations (Preston Moon-Owned UPI)

Aug. 12: Former UC official & Two Others Indicted in South Korea (NHK World)

Investigative authorities in South Korea have indicted three people including an ex-official of the religious group widely known as the Unification Church for alleged offences, including making illegal monetary donations to more than 130 politicians, to try and expand its influence. The three have not been detained. They include Yun Young-ho, the former head of the global division of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, which is the official name of the religious group.

Aug. 21: Kwon Sung-dong Loses Law License After Prison Term Confirmed in UC Bribery Case (The Korea Herald)

Aug. 29: Ambassador Evans: What's Happening in Korea Should Alarm Everyone (Faith Freeedom Peace/The UC)

[Peter Daley]

August 2026 Cont.

Tomorrow (Aug. 31) could be a big news day. I think I might swing by the court house and see what's what....Update: No, it's raining too much. A sign from heaven?

Aug. 30: UC Leader Faces Verdict in Political Funding Case (Seoul Economic Daily)

According to legal sources on the 30th, the 27th criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Woo In-sung, will deliver its verdict on the 31st on Han, who faces charges including violation of the Political Funds Act. Rulings will also come the same day for three co-defendants: Han's former chief of staff, surnamed Jung; Yoon Young-ho, former head of the church's world headquarters; and a former church finance director surnamed Lee.

A vigil as members await the verdict, which is due any minute now as I type this - Update, the video is now private. I saw some of it earlier. Lots of members in a large room at their HQ singing, chanting, crying, and speeches delivered with a creepy amount of passion - and that was before the verdict. Here is the Facebook post.

And ahead of the verdict, another indictment. You can't make this stuff up:

Aug. 31: 32 Indicted in Shincheonji, UC Corruption Probe (The Chosun Daily)

Chairman Han Hak-ja allegedly embezzled approximately 10.5 billion Korean won in church funds from January 2017 to May 2025, storing it in a personal safe. This was done by falsifying accounts for overseas missionary support or omitting cash donations from records. The funds were reportedly used for illegal political donations, lobbying, gifts to associates, and personal luxuries. A secret safe in Han's bedroom was managed by one employee without formal expenditure records. During a prior investigation into former first lady Kim Keon-hee, Han's slush fund was estimated at 30 billion Korean won, but the task force applied embezzlement charges to 10.5 billion Korean won out of 26 billion Korean won in seized cash.

Aug. 31: Shincheonji's Lee Man-hee indicted, W26b Seized From UC Leader as Joint Probe Wraps Up (The Korea Herald Business)

The task force determined that the Unification Church had used its nationwide organizational network to illegally donate religious funds to politicians in order to cultivate friendly political figures and advance the church founder's theocratic vision of building a nation centered on the Unification Church.

According to the task force, the Unification Church made a total of 219 illegal political donations worth 189 million won in organizational funds to 132 politicians, including National Assembly members, from around March 2019 to around January last year.

On the Unification Church side, former global headquarters chief Yoon Young-ho was indicted along with Song Gwang-seok, former chairman of the church-affiliated International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, on charges of conspiring to donate 23.7 million won in church funds to 47 politicians, including National Assembly members.

Aug. 31: Joint Investigation Headquarters on Collusion Between Politics & Religion Concludes 8-Month Probe: Lee Manhee Indicted, 26 Billion Won Seized from Han Hakja's Safe (Asia Business Daily)

The joint investigation team (headed by Kim Tae-hoon, Daejeon High Prosecutors' Office) that has been investigating corruption involving Shincheonji and the Unification Church concluded its eight-month investigation and ended its activities on the 31st. The team announced that it has indicted 32 people, including Lee Man-hee, Shincheonji's general director, and Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja

Photo of Han Hak-ja arriving at the court. The rain didn't keep her away as it did me.

Aug. 31: The Sentencing Hearing for UC Leader Han Hak-ja in Seoul (Reuters)

Lots of coverage of the sentencing. I'll just post a few articles rather. Now the verdict is in, I'm particularly interested in the spin-doctoring from the UC and its propagandists.

Aug. 31: UC Leader Sentenced to 2-Year Prison Term in Bribery Case (Yonhap News)

A Seoul district court on Monday sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to two years in prison in a bribery case involving the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence for the 83-year-old, which is lower than a 13-year prison term sought by special counsel Min Joong-ki's team.

Aug. 31: 'Moonies' Church Leader Jailed for Two Years Over Bribery Offences (BBC)

Aug. 31: UC Leader Sentenced for Political Collusion (The Chosun Daily)

Aug. 31: UC President Han Hakja Sentenced to 2 Years in First Trial: "Saw Presidential Election as Opportunity for Organizational Expansion" (The Asia Business Daily)

The court stated, "The Unification Church used its financial resources and viewed the 20th presidential election as an opportunity for expanding its influence. After supporting a candidate who was favorable to the Church, the crime was committed with the intent to secure state backing for church policies and to expand its political influence following the inauguration of the new administration."

However, the court noted as mitigating factors that "she has no prior criminal record and her efforts for world peace as a religious leader should be taken into account."

Her efforts for world peace? Wow.

[Peter Daley]

August 2026 Cont.

Newt was quick, and he has a page in the staff section of The Washington Times.

Aug. 31: Mother Moon's Conviction Threatens Religious Liberty Worldwide - The Global War on Faith (Newt Gingrich for the UC-Owned Washington Times)

A quiet but dangerous assault on religious freedom, with deep roots in communism, is sweeping the world. What was once confined to the margins of authoritarian regimes has now breached the gates of the democratic world. In what has been described as a "global war on God," the weaponization of the state against communities of faith is occurring in plain sight. The most urgent and tragic battleground of this struggle is unfolding right now in South Korea. ...

Aug. 31: Family Federation Spiritual Leader Jailed for Two Years in South Korea (Andrew Salmon for the UC-Owned Washington Times)

The church, which seeks the unification of Christian and other religions worldwide, has often drawn unfavorable attention in the U.S. for some of its practices, including mass weddings, but has enjoyed support from conservative political figures in the West. President Trump and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, among others, have spoken at federation-backed conferences. ...

The revelations linking Japanese lawmakers to the church revitalized a long legal campaign waged against the federation by a lawyers' group representing people who said their families had been coerced into donating to the church.

The church responded that many donations — including half of those made by the mother of Mr. Abe's murderer — had been returned. It also said that practices such as "spiritual sales" of pricey religious trinkets had been discontinued years prior.

Nothing availed. Despite not having broken any Japanese laws, the church was dissolved after its final appeal was overturned in June. The question now is whether the federation will face a similar onslaught in Korea.

Trump's support has been mentioned a couple of times by Andrew, but there is never any mention of the payments by the UC for those endorsements and attendance. I have been meaning to explore more the language, bias, and other omissions in this and other Washington Times articles viewed through the lens of the Media Association for Peace (IMAP) founded by guess who. I certainly have bookmarked some examples. Here are some salient quotes from its inaugural resolution, and then some details that should have been included in the above article regarding Trump et al. if the UC-owned Washington Times adheared to the following stated principles UC-founded IMAP:

We applaud the leadership of Dr. HakJa Han Moon and her late husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, for their vision and work over many decades to create "one family under God." This includes their founding of UPF, an NGO in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, as well as major media outlets such as Segye Ilbo in Korea, Sekai Nippo in Japan, and The Washington Times in the United States. ...

Restore credibility of journalism by scrupulously pursuing accuracy, clear attribution from credible sources, ensuring fairness with inclusion of opposing viewpoints; removing personal bias from news articles; avoiding content that is degrading; and practicing respect for the dignity our audience.

July 14, 2023: Lucrative Speaking Fees for Donald & Melania Trump Revealed in Revised Personal Financial Disclosure Filing (CNN)

Trump, who leads polls for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, was paid a total of $2 million for speaking at two Universal Peace Federation World Summits in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Palm Beach, Florida. The group was established by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the Korean evangelist and businessman who founded the Unification Church, and his wife, Hak Ja Han.

Aug. 31: South Korea's UC leader Hak Ja Han Sentenced to Two Years For Corruption (Associated Press)

The organization said in a statement Monday that it deeply apologizes for causing "big concerns and disappointment to the people." But it said it cannot accept the ruling against Han and will appeal it.

[Peter Daley]

Empty post so I can split some posts as I find and post more

[Peter Daley]

September 2026

Sept. 1 Personal Update: I was happily surpised to get a media request for a Zoom interview. Unfortunately, it was all very short notice - the pitfalls of reporting timely news. I got the request just around 4 hours before air time, and I had just finished work and had some prior commitments. Well, it was good to know I'm still on the radar of at least one major news agency.

A good summary of the scandal and the UC's ties to Washington:
Sept. 1: The Scandal-Plagued Moonies Still Have a Friend in Donald Trump (Elle Hardy for The New Republic)

For the church, however, their position is clear: Their multibillionaire leader should continue to enjoy her lifestyle on the backs of church members' work and donations. In a statement, the president of the American church, Demian Dunkley, said that "the Mother of Peace should be free to travel the world." Following her arrest last September, her estranged son Sean, who has called her the "Whore of Babylon," said in a statement that "this is only the beginning of the Judgment."

For many church critics, Han's conviction has the air of Al Capone to it: She's been nailed for relatively minor charges, while long-standing allegations about embezzlement of church funds and exploitation of members' labor continue to go unexamined by courts under the guise of religious freedom. So far, Han's allies in Washington have remained conspicuously quiet—but given their long-standing financial arrangements, that's unlikely to last long.

It did not indeed last long:

Sept. 1: Statement from 70th Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the Sentencing of Dr. Hak Ja Han (Mile Popmeo)

The sentencing of religious leader Dr. Hak Ja Han to two years in prison is deeply troubling for anyone who cares about religious liberty and free expression. The evidence suggests that Dr. Han was targeted for her religious and political beliefs.

Dr. Han has never been charged with so much as a parking ticket in her life, yet has already been detained for nearly a year in terrible conditions despite her advanced age and health problems. 

This is a betrayal of South Korea's hard-won democratic values. I pray that the government of South Korea reconsiders this case on appeal and does not go further down the path of religious persecution.

Sept. 2: What is Wrong with Interfering in Politics? (Michael Breen for The Korea Times)

In other words, it's reasonable to prosecute Han Hak-ja and Lee Man-hee if they have presided over corruption.

Note: The word bribary is not mentioned in the above, but he used that word leading up to the trial. And the above quote certainly caught my eye.

If they presided? That has already been deteremined in Han's first case. The New York Times used that exact word in its reporting.

Aug. 31: South Korea's UC Leader Gets Two Years in Prison for Corruption (The New York Times)

In January, Michael was all for crimes being punished:

Jan. 15: Religion, Politics, Payback: Why the Jailing of Han Hak-ja Feels Familiar Michael Breen for The Korea Times)

If she and other officials are found to have broken the law, they will be punished.

Back in 2012, Michael didn't want the UC investigated in any way shape or form, a very unusual opinion for a former member, and also quite an unjournalstic stance from a former journalist.

Sept. 3, 2012: How Society Handled Moon Sun-myung (Michael Breen for The Korea Times)

It's hard to feel sorry for a billionaire, harder if he's regarded by thousands around the world as the messiah.

But spare a thought for Rev. Moon Sun-myung who in public, outside of his adoring inner circle, never had a single good review. He was vilified and ridiculed most of his adult life. The criticism and hounding of his followers � contemptuously known as "Moonies" � have been unrelenting. Why? Not because his beliefs and claims are any more ridiculous than other religious notions, but because they were new. ...

Given this, why could he not simply be ignored?

Sept. 25, 2025: A comment under the September 2 piece at the top of this thread caught my eye, and I decided to reply just quickly. Michael's association and support of the UC despite stating in interviews that he left the group in the 1980s is something I find it as fascinating as it is odd.

FoolsLive: "If they have presided over corruption..." The dishonesty of the whole column lies in this "if." And for transparency's sake, we demand to disclose the columnist's past and present relations to the "religious" organizations that he "covers."

Peter: He still attends events and seems close to many senior member who joined around the same time - giving a zoom lecture to many old time members etc. Not, I should add, to anyone charged with a crime. That is certainly unusual for someone who is (sometimes) described as a former member. Like the above piece and when he is quoted in The Washington Times, that prior membership is often not acknowledged. It seems the Washington Times has some institutional amnesia. There are plenty of details online. If you go to tparents.org and search his name, you can see some of the more recent events he participated in and spoke at. There are other bits and pieces scattered around UC sites and YouTube.

Ironically, that unhelpful attribution goes against the journalistic standards of this UC-born journalism thing.

"Restore credibility of journalism by scrupulously pursuing accuracy, clear attribution from credible sources... blah blah blah"

Michael spoke at one of their events - the last sentence.

[Peter Daley]

September 2026 Cont.

Sept. 3: How the UC Could Help Reconcile the Two Koreas (Joseph R. DeTrani for The UC-Owned Washington Times)

The sentencing on Monday of Dr. Han — the federation's leader since the 2012 death of her husband — to two years in prison on bribery charges must have confounded the leadership in Pyongyang. ... One would hope that South Korean government would want to work with the Family Federation and UPF to reestablish a relationship with a hostile North Korea, given the excellent relationship UPF has with North Korea.

Ambassador DeTrani served over two decades with the CIA as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service.

Older "news", but members have been sharing it on Facebook a lot since the sentencing. I just noticed the date, but I think they're serious! lol

April 1, 2026: UPF Co-Founder Dr Hak-ja-Han Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize (United Peace Federation)

To be fair, she's more deserving than the guy in The White House she threw 2 million dollars to.

[Peter Daley]

September 2026 Cont.

Sept. 2: UC Lay Members Apologize, Warn Losing Faith Spaces (The Chosun Daily)

The Lay Members Council revealed, "Since last August, we requested the collection of evidence favorable to Chairperson Han Hak-ja, but received no written response from the religious group regarding any documents." They added, "The following measures required minimal cost, posed no disadvantage to the chairperson, and could be verified in writing: pre-collection of evidence, formation of an independent legal team, resolution of conflicts of interest, transparency in attorney fee structures, supplementation of bail and health records, preemptive review of Japan's dissolution case, and documentation of legal briefings. However, no response was received."

Not the appeal members were waiting for; this is the other one:

Sept. 4: Special Counsel Appeals Unification Church Leader's Sentence in Bribery Case (The Korea Times)

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.

Sept. 7: UC Leader Appeals Two-Year Sentence in Bribery Case (Yonhap News)

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.

Sept. 29: CIO Clears Min Joong-gi Special Prosecutor Team of 'UC Biased Investigation' Allegations (The Asia Business Daily)

Sept. 30: Busan Mayor's Ex-Aides Convicted in UC Evidence Destruction (The Chosun Daily)

Former aides to Chun Jae-soo, the mayor of Busan, have been found guilty of destroying evidence ahead of a raid related to allegations of receiving money and valuables from the Unification Church during his time as a member of the National Assembly. ...

"A" allegedly dismantled the computer's hard drive with a screwdriver, smashed it with a hammer, bent the SSD (semiconductor memory chip storage device) with his hands and feet, and discarded the pieces in a nearby field and a trash bin at a Busan bathhouse.

The defendants argued that the statute of limitations for the alleged bribery had expired, making the evidence destruction charge invalid. However, Judge Kim stated, "If investigations reveal that Chun Jae-soo received bribes exceeding 30 million Korean won, the statute of limitations would extend to over 10 years, meaning the statute of limitations for Chun's criminal case would not have expired at the time of the defendants' actions. Therefore, it cannot be conclusively stated that criminal prosecution against Chun was impossible."

Note: As per the last sentence above, while there were convictions of destroying evidence of bribary, the receiver of those bribes was not prosecuted and is now the mayor of Busan. While the destroyers of the evidence were caught, their actions to protect their boss were successful. Is it possible their sacrifices will not be rewarded by he who was protected? The absurdity of this was explored in this article before the convictions:

April 11: Chun Cleared, Aides Indicted for Evidence Destruction (The Chosun Daily)

A legal professional remarked, "How can aides who destroyed evidence to cover something up be indicted, while the politician accused of crimes is cleared?"