Court Revokes Bail for Unification Church Leader Han Hak-ja After Visits to Cheonjeonggung

[Anchor]

Bail has been revoked for Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja. She had been released on bail for medical treatment of a chronic illness, but it was revealed that she left the designated hospital and traveled to Unification Church facilities. The court also cited concerns over the destruction of evidence.

[Reporter]

A vehicle carrying Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja enters the Seoul Detention Center.

The Seoul High Court revoked the bail for Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja yesterday (November 3), citing violations of bail conditions set by the court and concerns that she might destroy evidence.

Previously on October 19, the court granted Han bail for the treatment of a chronic illness, restricting her residence to Asan Medical Center in Seoul.

Conditions were also attached prohibiting contact with anyone other than restricted individuals, such as medical personnel, legal counsel, and mobility assistants.

However, after it was revealed that Han left the hospital and traveled to Cheonjeonggung, a Unification Church facility in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, the court held a hearing during the trial the day before yesterday to decide whether to revoke her bail.

The special counsel team argued that although she was released on bail under the pretext of having difficulty moving and poor eyesight, there was no need for bail on medical grounds if she was capable of making 100-kilometer round trips a day.

They also raised the possibility that she may have contacted witnesses who have testified or are scheduled to testify in the trial while at Cheonjeonggung.

Han's legal team explained that while they were aware of the residential restriction, they did not know outings were restricted, adding that she had simply taken a daytime rest before returning to the hospital.

In response, the court pointed out, It is even more baffling to hear that you interpreted outings to Cheonjeonggung as being permissible. Ultimately, the court revoked Han's bail yesterday and confiscated her bail deposit of 200 million won to the state treasury.

Han was indicted on charges including delivering 100 million won in political funds to then-People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022, and handing over an expensive necklace and bag to Kim Keon-hee while lobbying for pending issues involving the denomination.

In August, she was found guilty of major charges in her first trial and sentenced to two years in prison, and she is currently undergoing appellate proceedings.

(Video reporting: Bae Moon-san, Video editing: Lee Sang-min)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.