Overview
- Seoul Central District Court opened Han Hak‑ja’s trial on Dec. 1 on bribery and political funds charges tied to gifts including Chanel bags, a diamond necklace and wild ginseng for former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
- Prosecutors allege Han colluded with ex–church official Yun Young‑ho to deliver 100 million won to Rep. Kweon Seong‑dong in 2022 in exchange for favors for the church.
- Han, 82, denied all charges in court, with her lawyers arguing a senior official acted on personal ambition without her knowledge; she appeared in a wheelchair and is seeking bail.
- A related case details an alleged scheme that routed 144 million won from church headquarters through regional branches to People Power Party organizations in 2022, while similar donations to Democratic Party figures were not included in the indictment.
- Kim Keon Hee has acknowledged receiving the Chanel bags via an intermediary but denies any quid pro quo, as prosecutors argue follower donations were diverted to illicit lobbying.