Former Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church) world headquarters Deputy Minister Yun Young-ho's side said at the first trial in the case indicted by special counsel for Kim Keon-hee over the "Gun-jin beopsa solicitation allegations" that "it is true that luxury bags and a necklace were delivered to Jeon Seong-bae, known as Gun-jin beopsa, but we do not know whether they were ultimately delivered to the first lady Kim."
The Criminal Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (presiding judge Director General Woo In-seong) held the first hearing that day in the case of former Deputy Minister Yun, who was indicted and detained on charges including violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, violating the Political Funds Act, and embezzlement in the course of duty. Former Deputy Minister Yun, who is in custody, appeared in court that day wearing a suit.
Former Deputy Minister Yun was indicted and detained on the 18th of 4th on charges including that, for the purpose of soliciting Unification Church pending issues to the first lady Kim, he delivered to Jeon Seong-bae, known as Gun-jin beopsa, two Chanel bags worth about 20 million won between April and June 2022, a Graff diamond necklace from the United Kingdom in the 60 million won range and Cheonsusam concentrate tea between June and Aug. 2022.
Special counsel for Kim Keon-hee suspects that former Deputy Minister Yun handed over expensive gifts through Jeon to lobby on pending issues such as the Cambodia Mekong River site development official development assistance (ODA) project, the acquisition of YTN, and invitations to the presidential inauguration.
In addition, former Deputy Minister Yun was also charged (violation of the Political Funds Act) with delivering 100 million won in cash to People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong on Jan. 5, 2022, purportedly to be used for then-presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol. Allegations were also raised that Jeon and former Deputy Minister Yun, ahead of the People Power Party national convention in Jan. 2023, sought to enroll a large number of Unification Church believers to make Kweon party leader.
That day, former Deputy Minister Yun's attorney acknowledged parts of the prosecution's allegations while arguing there is room for legal dispute.
Regarding the charge of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, the attorney said, "We acknowledge that the items were delivered to Jeon," but added, "Since we do not know whether the gifts were ultimately delivered to the first lady Kim, if there is no objective and specific proof of that, the crime does not stand."
As for the alleged violation of the Political Funds Act, the attorney said, "We acknowledge giving 100 million won to Kweon Seong-dong (a People Power Party lawmaker), but there is still room for dispute on evidentiary issues."
However, former Deputy Minister Yun's side said of the charge of evidence destruction, "We deny the indictment itself," adding, "There was no attempt to destroy."
In addition, regarding the embezzlement in the course of duty, former Deputy Minister Yun's attorney said, "As with the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act violation, we acknowledge the facts." The attorney added, "However, whether the source of the money was Unification Church funds or the personal money of President Han Hak-ja could change whether a crime is established," and said, "Former Deputy Minister Yun had no intent to unlawfully appropriate."
The special counsel's side said that day, "There is not a large dispute over the facts, so we will need about three to four witnesses." They also said that former Deputy Minister Yun's side has not yet reviewed all the evidence list submitted by the special counsel, and agreed to proceed with the evidence admission process at the next hearing.
The court set the next hearing in this case for 11 a.m. on Sept. 30.