President Hak Ja Han, accused of embezzling 10.5 billion won in Unification Church funds, begins first trial next month
Quick Look
- The first trial preparation date for Unification Church President Hak Ja Han and other officials, who are accused of embezzling 10.5 billion won in Unification Church funds, will be held on the 12th of next month.
- The joint investigation headquarters of the prosecution and police believes that they stole church funds and stored them in a president's personal safe.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
During a search and seizure of the Cheonjeong Palace of the Unification Church, a bundle of cash worth 26 billion won was discovered in the personal safe of President Hak Ja Han, and the joint investigation team took over the investigation and discovered the alleged embezzlement of 10.5 billion won.
Suspected of stealing money in the name of gift money and keeping it in a personal safe
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Baleum = The trial of Unification Church President Hak Ja Han, who is accused of embezzling 10.5 billion won worth of Unification Church funds, will begin next month.
According to the legal community on the 19th, the 22nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Cho Hyeong-woo) will hold the first trial preparation date for the case of President Han, former Chief of Staff Jeong Won-joo, and former World Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho on charges of embezzlement under the Special Police Act at 11 a.m. on November 12.
Previously, the joint investigation headquarters of the prosecution and police, which investigates suspicions of corruption in collusion between church and state, indicted them without detention, accusing them of embezzling about 10.5 billion won in church funds from 2017 to last year in the name of 'gift money' and storing it in a president's personal safe.
The Min Joong-ki special prosecutor team, which previously investigated suspicions related to First Lady Kim Kun-hee, discovered a bundle of cash worth 26 billion won in President Han's personal safe during a search and seizure of the Unification Church's Cheon Jeong Palace.
At the time, the special prosecutor's team called in people in charge of finance and investigated, but concluded the investigation without being able to confirm the source and use of the money.
Afterwards, the flow of funds was identified in the joint investigation into the collusion between the government and government, which took over the investigation, and the circumstances of the embezzlement were captured. The joint venture confiscated the entire amount worth 26 billion won and proceeded with collection preservation procedures.
Meanwhile, President Han and former Headquarters Director Yoon are also being tried on charges of giving money and valuables to First Lady Kim Kun-hee and former People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong for the purpose of asking for favors on Unification Church issues, as well as providing support to People Power Party members by splitting 100 million won in church funds.
The first trial sentenced President Han to a total of two years in prison and former Director Yoon to six months in prison, and the appeal trial is currently in progress.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
First trial preparation date held on charges of embezzlement under the Special Police Act against President Hak Ja Han and others.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What is the source and use of the remaining funds found in personal safes?
- What will be the impact on the internal organization of the Unification Church depending on the outcome of the trial?
