▲ Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han
The court has decided to directly verify whether Hak Ja Han, leader of the Unification Church who was granted bail for medical treatment, violated her bail conditions after it was revealed that she left her designated residence at a hospital.
During the appellate trial for Han on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act held today (Nov. 2) by Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Kim Moo-shin, Lee Woo-hee, and Yoo Dong-gyun), the court stated, "We have sent an official inquiry to Asan Medical Center (where Han is receiving treatment) asking them to report on her medical progress and whether she left the hospital."
The court added, "We sent documents such as the application for amendment of the bill of indictment to the hospital, but they were returned due to the addressee's absence. Is she properly complying with the bail conditions regarding the restriction of residence?"
Han's defense counsel responded, "Yes," and stated that they would look into whether it was an administrative issue with the hospital and take necessary measures.
The court directly asked Han, "Do you understand the bail conditions well?" and emphasized, "You must strictly comply with them."
Han, who attended the trial in a wheelchair, removed her mask and answered, "Yes."
The court requested, "We have asked Asan Medical Center to report on the relevant matters," and added, "We also ask the special counsel's team to appropriately monitor and ensure compliance with the bail conditions under the Public Prosecutors' Office Act."
Earlier in the day, a media outlet raised allegations that Han had left Seoul Asan Medical Center during her bail period and traveled back and forth to the Unification Church palace in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.
On October 19, the court accepted Han's request for bail, setting conditions that included restricting her residence to Seoul Asan Medical Center where she is currently receiving treatment and requiring a cash bail deposit of 200 million won.
The conditions also explicitly prohibited contact with anyone other than limited individuals such as medical personnel, legal counsel, and mobility assistants.
If it is confirmed that Han actually violated the restriction on residence, which is a bail condition, her bail could be revoked.
Han was indicted on charges of conspiring with former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho and others in January 2022 to deliver 100 million won in political funds to then-People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong, requesting the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's support for the Unification Church.
She also faces charges of handing over an expensive necklace and a Chanel bag to Kim Keon-hee through Jeon Sung-bae, widely known as "Geonjin Beobsa," around July of that year to lobby for pending church issues, as well as split-donating about 100 million won in Unification Church funds to People Power Party lawmakers and others in March.
In August, the first-instance court found her guilty of the main charges and sentenced her to a total of two years in prison.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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