Honorary leader Heo Kyung-young of the National Revolutionary Party, who was indicted and detained on charges including selling expensive products as if they were sacred objects and molesting followers, appeared at his first trial and flatly denied the charges, saying they were "100% fabricated."
The 11th criminal division of the Uijeongbu District Court (presiding judge Oh Chang-seop) held the first hearing on the 30th morning for Heo, who was indicted and detained on charges of fraud, embezzlement, violating the Political Funds Act, and quasi-forcible indecency.
Heo appeared in court wearing a light brown prison uniform with disheveled hair and even exchanged hand waves with followers in the gallery.
Prosecutors said, "The defendant deceived the victims and defrauded them of about 324 million won, embezzled corporate funds from Chojonggyo Haneulgoong Co. and Haneulgoong, and received political funds through improper means," adding, "From 2017 to 2023, the defendant molested 16 victims on 49 occasions."
In response, Heo stood up and said, "All the documents here at the court were fabricated by the police over a year and a half. I am not someone who commits embezzlement or indecency," adding, "I will be 80 in two months; does it make sense to say that someone who had no issues when younger has now committed quasi-forcible indecency?"
He continued, "I ran three times for president and eight times for National Assembly member and Seoul mayor, and I never sought political funds. I know the law better than anyone," adding, "How could someone who provides free meals and pays taxes in the tens of billions of won commit any embezzlement for money?" He also said, "I have been detained for five months now and cannot understand why I have to be detained."
The court then examined as a witness a person surnamed Choi, the former chair of the National Revolutionary Party Central Party Supporters' Association and a former director of Chojonggyo Haneulgoong Co. and Haneulgoong, as requested by prosecutors.
Before the questioning, when the witness requested separation, saying there had been threats from the complainants, the court ordered two complainants to leave. But the complainants fiercely protested, saying they had a right to know, leading to a scuffle. After the prosecutor personally intervened to persuade them, they eventually left.
Prosecutors then pressed the witness, who managed corporate funds and Heo's personal funds, on the circumstances of the alleged embezzlement and violations of the Political Funds Act, but the witness testified to the effect that "there were no issues" or avoided answering.
The next trial for Heo is set for Oct. 21. Heo is accused of claiming to have spiritual powers and selling expensive spiritual products at his Haneulgoong in Jangheung-myeon, Yangju, Gyeonggi, from 2019 to 2023. Charges of quasi-forcible indecency were also applied for allegedly touching followers' bodies under the pretext of "energy therapy."