Seoul: The formal trial for Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, who is accused of alleged bribery linked to the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, is scheduled to commence early next month, as announced by a court on Friday. The initial hearing is set for December 1 at the Seoul Central District Court, as noted during the second preparatory hearing earlier in the day.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court will question a former church official surnamed Yun, who was indicted alongside Han, during the first hearing. Additionally, a hearing on Han's bail request is arranged for the same day. Han faces charges from a special counsel team, indicted in October for violating the Political Funds Act and the anti-graft law, among other offenses.
The allegations against Han include gifting luxury items such as a necklace and Chanel bags to Kim Keon Hee, Yoon's wife, while soliciting favors. She is accused of embezzling church funds to purchase these gifts and ordering the destruction of evidence prior to a police investigation into her alleged overseas gambling activities. Furthermore, Han is suspected of conspiring with Yun to provide 100 million won (approximately US$69,700) to People Power Party Representative Kweon Seong-dong in January 2022 in exchange for his assistance in securing favors for the church, contingent upon Yoon's presidential election, which he won in March of that year.
Han, who was temporarily released from detention earlier this month for eye surgery, submitted a bail application last week following the Seoul court's denial of her request for an extension.