(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Bal-eum = When Unification Church President Hak Ja Han, who was granted bail for treatment of a chronic illness, left the hospital, his designated residence, the court began considering revoking bail.
The 13th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Judge Kim Moo-shin, Lee Woo-hee, and Yoo Dong-gyun) immediately held an inquiry to revoke President Han's bail after it was confirmed that he was out on the 2nd at the appellate hearing on charges of violating the Political Fund Act.
Earlier on this day, a media outlet reported that President Han had left Asan Medical Center in Seoul, where he was receiving treatment while on bail, and had been going back and forth to the Unification Church Palace in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.
Special Prosecutor Kim Kun-hee's team pointed out, "If it is confirmed that the defendant visited Cheonjeonggung on a regular and repeated basis, it is reasonable to believe that he violated the bail conditions," and added, "The court set a condition of prohibiting contact with related people, but it is highly likely that he came into contact with those who appeared or are scheduled to appear as witnesses."
President Hak Ja Han's lawyer explained, "When I read the bail decision, I clearly recognized the housing restrictions, but I did not realize that it also included restrictions on going out. Considering the problems that usually arise when going out, the only place I could actually go out was Cheonjeonggung, so I went out after resting during the day and returning."
He added, “If there is a misunderstanding about the bail conditions, I don’t think it is an issue to cancel the bail, other than considering clarifying the conditions.”
The court pointed out, "During the bail permission interrogation, he said he would accept any conditions and, if possible, asked for (Cheonjeonggung) to be his residence, but considering the fact that the related case was ongoing, we decided to grant him bail at a level no better than a suspension of execution."
He continued, “It is even more embarrassing that the court interpreted that it was possible to go out to the residence (Cheonjeonggung), which was the bail location that the lawyer wanted.”
The court said it would consider both sides' positions and decide whether to revoke bail due to violation of bail conditions or to strictly change the bail conditions.
President Han, who attended the trial in a wheelchair on this day, was given the opportunity to speak at the end of the trial and said, "I didn't understand it a little when I heard about changing residence while applying for bail. It is a continuation of life in which I cannot move alone and cannot take a single step without help. If you are kind, I think it would be great if I could live the rest of my life while receiving treatment in the residential space where I have lived my whole life."
Earlier, before the media reports on this day became known, the court sent an official letter to Asan Medical Center in Seoul, saying, "We sent documents, including an application for change to the indictment, to the hospital, but they were not delivered due to the absence of the recipient."
When the court asked, "Are you complying with the bail conditions related to the housing restrictions?" President Han's lawyer responded, "Yes, we will find out if it is an administrative problem at the hospital and take action."
The court directly asked President Han, "Are you familiar with the bail conditions?" and emphasized, "You must comply with them." Governor Han took off his mask and answered, “Yes.”
On the 19th of last month, the court accepted President Han's request for bail and imposed conditions such as limiting his residence to Asan Medical Center in Seoul, where he is currently receiving treatment, and requiring him to pay a bail deposit of 200 million won in cash.
It was also specified as a condition not to have any contact with anyone except for a limited number of people such as medical personnel, lawyers, and mobility assistants.
In fact, if Governor Han is found to have violated the residence restrictions that are conditions for bail, his bail may be revoked.
In response, the Unification Church acknowledged that President Han left the hospital where he was hospitalized and went out, but argued that this did not constitute a violation of bail conditions.
The Unification Church expressed its position through its lawyer, saying, "Bail is basically premised on release, and the defendant's going out while living at home does not constitute a change in residence and does not constitute a violation of bail conditions."
President Han was indicted on charges of conspiring with former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho and others to deliver 100 million won in political funds to Rep. Kwon Seong-dong of the People Power Party at the time in January 2022, requesting support for the Unification Church from the Yoon Seok-yeol government.
In July of that year, he was accused of soliciting church issues by handing an expensive necklace and Chanel bag to Ms. Kim Kun-hee through 'Geonjinbeopsa' Jeon Seong-bae, and in March, he was accused of splitting and donating 100 million won of Unification Church group funds to People Power Party members and others.
Last August, the first trial found President Han guilty on the main charges and sentenced him to a total of two years in prison.
