'Religion-Politics Collusion' Hak Ja Han Denies All Charges at First Trial... Claims 'Yoon Young-ho Acted Alone'

[Financial News] Hak Ja Han, President of the Unification Church, who has been identified as the central figure in the alleged collusion between religion and politics, denied all charges at her first trial. Han's legal team argued that the charges stemmed from the unilateral actions of Yoon Young-ho, former Director-General of the Unification Church World Headquarters, who was indicted alongside her, and insisted that the indictment itself was flawed. The Special Prosecutor countered that Han attempted to privatize political power, emphasizing the gravity of the crime.
On the 1st, Criminal Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Insung Woo) held the first hearing for Hak Ja Han and Secretary General Jeong, who are accused of violating the Political Funds Act and the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Numerous Unification Church members from both Korea and abroad attended the courtroom and the overflow room to observe Han's trial, resulting in long lines.
Han's defense argued that the only evidence supporting the alleged crimes was testimony, and denied the charges. Her attorney stated, "These were unilateral acts driven by Yoon Young-ho's political ambitions," and added, "The prosecution relies solely on Yoon's statements. The premise that the defendant and Yoon were co-conspirators is fundamentally flawed." The lawyer further argued, "Yoon Young-ho had ample motive to falsely implicate Han by cooperating with the prosecution to conceal and downplay his own crimes." They also claimed that the Special Prosecutor's emphasis on 'collusion between religion and politics' was based solely on Yoon's testimony and did not reflect the actual situation.
Han's legal team also denied the charges related to Kwon Sung-dong, a member of the People Power Party. The attorney argued, "It is difficult to believe that Han, the supreme leader of a religious group, would be involved in business or political activities," and added, "There is no way she would have ordered 100 million won to be given to Representative Kwon." The defense also stated, "Han did not engage in habitual gambling, and the statute of limitations for related crimes has expired. The claim that the defendant destroyed evidence is illogical. It was Yoon Young-ho who independently formatted computers and deleted accounting data to cover up his own embezzlement."
Former Vice President Jeong of Cheonmuwon, former Director-General Yoon Young-ho, and Yoon's wife, who were indicted alongside Han, also denied all charges.
The Special Prosecutor team led by Min Joong-ki argued that none of the accused could have acted without Han's approval. The prosecution stated, "Hak Ja Han, as the absolute authority of the Unification Church, authorized all the crimes at the top. None of the illegal fund disbursements in this case could have occurred without her consent. Former Vice President Jeong was the second-in-command in the Unification Church, wielding significant influence, conveying Han's intentions, managing slush funds, and assisting in decision-making."
The Special Prosecutor strongly criticized Han's acts of collusion between religion and politics. The prosecution asserted, "The defendants undermined representative democracy and used members' money to buy political influence through their collusion between religion and politics. Some members even withdrew their sons' housing deposits or took out loans in difficult circumstances to make donations to the Unification Church, while the defendants used these funds for Han's bail or illicit relationships. The abuse of religious power to privatize political authority in exchange for illegal funds constitutes a serious crime."
Meanwhile, in the afternoon session, a bail hearing for Han was held. Han had previously been granted a suspension of detention for eye surgery on the 4th of last month, but her request for an extension was denied and she was re-detained. Her legal team emphasized both Han's health and the need to guarantee her right to a defense.
Hak Ja Han is accused of delivering 100 million won to Kwon Sung-dong of the People Power Party in 2022 through Yoon Young-ho, former Director-General of the Unification Church World Headquarters. She also faces charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act for allegedly being involved in delivering a Chanel bag and other gifts to Kim Keon Hee via Jeon Sung-bae between April and July of the same year, using church funds to purchase the Chanel bag (embezzlement), and instructing Yoon to destroy evidence in anticipation of an investigation into her alleged overseas gambling.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter