Tokyo High Court dissolves Unification Church over illegal donations

Liquidation procedures have begun for the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification — formerly known as the Unification Church — in Japan after a court ordered the religious group dissolved over its solicitation of high-value donations.

2026-03-05

Ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee's appeal trial for stock manipulation begins March 11

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee’s appeal trial will begin on March 11, following her partial conviction in a case involving stock manipulation allegations and bribery linked to the Unification Church.

2026-02-25

Unification Church leader returns to detention after court refuses to extend temporary release

Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, who faces trial on bribery charges linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, has returned to detention after a court rejected her request to extend her temporary release due to health issues, sources said Sunday.

2026-02-22

Unification Church leader temporarily released from detention over health issues

A Seoul court on Wednesday temporarily released Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja from detention to allow her to receive medical treatment as she faces a criminal trial on bribery charges linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee.

2026-02-12

PPP leader calls for special counsel probes into allegations involving DP, Lee

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok on Wednesday called for the launch of separate special counsel probes into the Unification Church's alleged ties with Democratic Party lawmakers and bribery allegations linked to the party's nominations.

2026-02-04

Special counsel appeals ruling on ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee in corruption case

A special counsel on Friday appealed a court ruling in the corruption case of former first lady Kim Keon Hee that handed down a prison term but found her not guilty on most charges.

2026-01-30

Long-maligned religious group Shincheonji draws new scrutiny over political collusion claims

Six years after it first attracted attention for its role in Korea’s initial mass outbreak of Covid-19, the secretive Shincheonji religious group has come under renewed focus for allegedly helping to propel former President Yoon Suk Yeol to power.

2026-01-29

Former Unification Church official gets prison time in bribery case linked to ex-first lady, PPP lawmaker

Yun Young-ho, a former Unification Church official, was sentenced to prison on Wednesday in a case involving alleged favors sought from former first lady Kim Keon Hee and conservative People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Kweon Seong-dong.

2026-01-28

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in corruption trial — as it happened

A Seoul court is scheduled to hold a sentencing hearing for former first lady Kim Keon Hee in a corruption and bribery case at 2:10 p.m. Stay with us here for live updates.