The special counsel team investigating multiple allegations related to Kim Keon-hee (Special Counsel Min Joong-ki) on the 10th sought a four-year prison sentence for Yoon Young-ho, former world headquarters Deputy Minister of the Unification Church. The former Deputy Minister was brought to trial on allegations that he provided money and valuables to Kim Keon-hee and systematically supported People Power Party lawmakers.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Agreement Division 27 (Presiding Judge Woo In-seong) on the 10th was asked to hand down this sentence by the prosecution during the closing arguments concluding the trial of the former Deputy Minister, who was indicted on charges of occupational embezzlement, violations of the Political Funds Act, destruction of evidence, and violations of the anti-graft law.
The special counsel sought two years in prison for the former Deputy Minister on the Political Funds Act violation charge, and two years each for the three charges of embezzlement, anti-graft law violation, and destruction of evidence.
The special counsel team said the former Deputy Minister "colluded with political forces to expand the Unification Church's power and his own influence," calling it "a serious crime that undermines representative democracy." The team also said the former Deputy Minister made a Unification Church-related request through Rep. Kwon Seon-dong and "mobilized Unification Church believers for the People Power Party leadership election."
The former Deputy Minister's side argued in the final defense that support was not given only to a specific party ahead of a 2022 Unification Church event. The former Deputy Minister's attorney said, "In line with the Unification Church's pacifist ideology, it was essential at the time to have presidential candidates from various factions, including the People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea, attend."
The former Deputy Minister's side did not say at the closing hearing that cash or valuables were handed to any Democratic Party figure by name. Earlier, during the special counsel's investigation in Aug., the former Deputy Minister testified that he delivered 40 million won in cash and two luxury watches to Minister Jeon Jae-soo, a sitting lawmaker from the Democratic Party. The Minister denied it, saying, "All of it is false."
The former Deputy Minister was a top aide to Unification Church President Han Hak-ja and was in charge of deciding the church's fund disbursements. In 2022, he was indicted on charges of repeatedly delivering money and valuables to Kim through Geonjin (Jeon Seong-bae), including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag.
According to the special counsel, the former Deputy Minister was found to have provided money and valuables to push through issues such as supporting the Unification Church's Mekong River development project in Cambodia, acquiring YTN, bringing the United Nations Fifth Office to Korea, and invitations to the presidential inauguration.