The independent counsel team led by Min Joong-ki has appealed the first-instance ruling that sentenced Unification Church President Han Hak-ja to two years in prison over charges of "collusion between politics and religion" involving the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

The special counsel team announced today (September 4) that it filed an appeal, stating that "there are issues of improper sentencing and a misunderstanding of the legal principles regarding the scope of the investigation in the first-instance judgment."

The special counsel team explained the grounds for the appeal, arguing that the two-year prison sentence is too lenient given the severity of Han's crimes.

It further pointed out, "The first instance took vague and abstract reasons, such as Han's efforts for world peace, as mitigating factors for sentencing," adding, "It also judged the motive for the crime, which was to 'expand the Unification Church's religious influence and political clout,' as a favorable circumstance unrelated to personal gain."

Noting that a sentence of two years for Han is equivalent to the combined prison terms of 1 year and 6 months finalized by the Supreme Court and an additional 6-month prison sentence handed down in this first instance for former World Headquarters Director Yoon Young-ho—who acted under Han's instructions—the team argued that this is "an incomprehensible sentence."

The special counsel team also criticized the decision to dismiss the charge of instigating the destruction of evidence on the grounds that it did not fall under the scope of investigation specified in the Kim Keon-hee special counsel act, calling it "an interpretation that clearly contradicts the wording of the legal provisions."

It also argued that the dismissal of embezzlement charges related to the funding of overseas politicians' election campaigns was unjust.

In addition, the team stated that it has filed an interlocutory appeal against the decision to extend the suspension of execution of Han's detention.

Previously, the first-instance court extended the period of suspension of Han's detention until 6:00 p.m. on the 30th, which was the day after the sentencing (September 1).

Meanwhile, Han's legal team has not yet submitted an appeal to the court.

Han was found guilty in the first trial of charges including violations of the Political Funds Act for handing over money and valuables to Kim Keon-hee and former People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong for the purpose of lobbying regarding pending issues concerning the Unification Church, receiving a one-year prison sentence, alongside another one-year prison sentence for violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and occupational embezzlement.

However, the court acquitted her of some occupational embezzlement charges and dismissed indictments regarding charges such as instigating the destruction of evidence and embezzlement related to overseas political funding, ruling they fell outside the scope of the special counsel law.

Yoon, the former World Headquarters Director who was indicted alongside her, was sentenced to six months in prison, while former Chief of Staff Jeong and former Financial Director Lee each received suspended prison sentences.