• The trial for Han Hak-ja, leader of the Unification Church, commenced on December 1 in South Korea.
• Han is accused of bribing former First Lady Kim Keon Hee with luxury items, including Chanel handbags and a diamond necklace.
• Prosecutors allege that church funds were misappropriated for political favors and illicit activities.
• Han claims she had no knowledge of the bribes, attributing them to a former church official acting independently.
• The church faces growing scrutiny and legal challenges both domestically and internationally.

The trial of Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church, began on December 1 in South Korea, where she is accused of bribing former First Lady Kim Keon Hee with luxury items, including Chanel handbags and a diamond necklace. This case is part of broader investigations into former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his administration following a controversial martial law order in December 2024 and its resultant political ramifications, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

During the trial, prosecutors stated that Han sought to bribe Kim with various high-value gifts in exchange for business and political advantages. They further alleged that Han misappropriated donations from church members, which had been contributed under duress and hardship, for illicit financial dealings, a claim emphasized as “extremely egregious” by the prosecution. "Defendant Han Hak-ja is the absolute power holder of the Unification Church," one prosecutor asserted, indicating that no illegal transactions could occur without her consent, according to South China Morning Post.

Han, now 82, attended the initial hearing in a wheelchair and a white mask. Her defense emphasized that she was unaware of any bribery occurring, asserting that the acts were conducted by a former high-ranking church official who acted independently due to personal "political ambition." The defense’s narrative included the claim that no unlawful orders were ever issued by Han, consistent with her video messages to followers, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The Unification Church, which asserts a membership of about 10 million globally, has faced increasing scrutiny and legal challenges amid allegations regarding its fundraising practices and its entanglement with political figures. Following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a Japanese court ordered the dissolution of the church's Japanese branch, thereby intensifying pressures on the organization. In the current proceedings, Han is accused of delivering gifts valued at around 82 million won (approximately USD 55,800) and conspiring to bribe a lawmaker in hopes of benefiting from Yoon's presidency. Additional charges are set to follow, with another trial scheduled for December 9 related to violations of political party laws, according to South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

The public response to the trial has been significant, with long queues of attendees, including church members and supporters, needing overflow accommodations to observe the proceedings, indicative of the case's high-profile nature and public interest. Han was briefly released for medical treatment before returning to custody and is currently seeking bail again due to ongoing health issues, as mentioned in reports by Reuters and South China Morning Post.