2027 Verdict in 2nd Trial Involving Mother Han

Special prosecutors claim political alliance: Verdict expected in early 2027 as Seoul court schedules landmark trial in alleged Unificationism party enrollment case

South Korea’s expanding legal proceedings surrounding former First Lady Kim Keon Hee (김건희) and senior figures in the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – commonly known in Korea as Unificationism (통일교) – are entering another significant phase. According to a report by reporters Kweon Jin-yeong (권진영) and Han Soo-hyeon (한수현), published by the South Korean news agency News1 (뉴스1) on 3^rd July 2026, the Seoul Central District Court has scheduled the substantive trial over allegations of coordinated mass enrollment (집단 입당) of Unificationism members into the conservative People Power Party (PPP) to begin in mid-August, with judges aiming to conclude hearings before the end of this year.

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The case is one of several criminal proceedings involving former First Lady Kim, whose legal difficulties have expanded considerably since leaving office. Over the past year she has faced multiple indictments covering allegations ranging from influence-peddling and corruption to election-related offences. On 26^th June 2026, she received a first-instance conviction in a separate case involving brokerage bribery, violations of South Korea’s Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and destruction of evidence. That judgment, however, is subject to appeal and therefore has not yet become final.

The newly scheduled proceedings concern allegations that Kim worked with Jeon Seong-bae (전성배), widely known by his religious title “Geonjin Beopsa” (건진법사), to influence the outcome of the People Power Party‘s internal leadership contest in late 2022. Prosecutors allege that they sought the organized enrollment of thousands of Unificationism members into the party in order to strengthen support for then-lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong (권성동) in the party leadership race. According to the prosecution, approximately 3,100 members of the religious organization joined the PPP as part of the alleged operation.

Kim’s defense disputes both the legal characterization and practical significance of these actions. Her lawyers argue that the number of new party members was too small to have materially affected the outcome of the party convention and reject the prosecution’s assertion that any unlawful political intervention occurred.

The News1 article claims that the prosecution further alleges that the political support sought from Unificationism was linked to promises of favorable treatment. According to the indictment, Kim and Jeon allegedly agreed to assist Unificationism‘s policy objectives and discussed providing the religious organization with a proportional representation seat in the National Assembly in exchange for its cooperation.

Also standing trial are Hak Ja Han (한학자), the spiritual leader of Unificationism; its former official Yoon Yeong-ho (윤영호); former secretary’s office chief Jeong Won-ju (정원주); and Jeon Seong-bae (전성배). Prosecutors contend that Han and other senior officials from the religious otganization accepted the alleged arrangement and directed Unificationism members to join the governing party in an organized manner, thereby violating South Korea’s Political Parties Act.

The Seoul Central District Court held a preparatory hearing on 3^rd July to organize the presentation of evidence and clarify the positions of both the prosecution and defense. Such hearings are procedural rather than evidentiary, and defendants are not required to attend. Kim and the other accused therefore did not appear in court.

Following the hearing, the court designated 14^th August as the opening day of the full trial. The judges indicated an intention to hold hearings every Friday thereafter, stating that the proceedings should conclude no later than 11^th December, although an earlier conclusion at the end of November remains possible if the trial progresses efficiently. Under that timetable, a first-instance judgment would likely be delivered in early 2027.

Critical voices regard the case as political revenge. The current left-leaning Lee Jae-myung (이재명) administration and the special prosecutors empowered to investigate political and religious figures believed to have supported former conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열) have also faced considerable criticism. Opponents argue that the investigations represent a politically motivated effort directed against ideological and political adversaries rather than a purely impartial exercise of criminal justice.

The political-party enrollment case is unfolding alongside another major prosecution involving Hak Ja Han. In separate proceedings, prosecutors have accused the longtime Unificationism leader of participating in an alleged bribery and influence-peddling scheme involving gifts, political access, and efforts to obtain favorable treatment from government officials during the administration of former President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열). That case has progressed independently of the Political Parties Act prosecution and has reached its final stage, with closing arguments and the final hearing scheduled for 10^th July 2026. A first-instance verdict in that matter is expected after the conclusion of those proceedings.

Taken together, the various criminal cases represent one of the most consequential legal reckonings involving South Korea’s recent political leadership and one of the country’s most influential religious organizations. They also reflect prosecutors’ broader efforts to investigate allegations that political influence, religious networks, and private intermediaries became intertwined in attempts to shape both public policy and internal party politics. While the charges remain contested and all defendants continue to deny wrongdoing to varying degrees, the succession of trials scheduled throughout the second half of 2026 is expected to provide one of the clearest judicial examinations yet of the alleged relationships between Kim Keon Hee (김건희), senior figures within Unificationism, and prominent political actors in South Korea.

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See also Mother Han: Prosecutors Seek 13-Year Sentence

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Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Seoul Central District Court. AI-iIlustration: ChatGPT, 5th July 2026

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