The special counsel team investigating multiple allegations related to Kim Keon-hee (Special Counsel Min Joong-ki) on the 10th sought a 4-year prison sentence for former Unification Church world headquarters Deputy Minister Yoon Young-ho. Former Deputy Minister Yoon was brought to trial on suspicion of providing money and valuables to Kim Keon-hee and systematically supporting People Power Party lawmakers.
The Criminal Agreement Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo In-seong) on the 10th was asked by prosecutors at the closing hearing wrapping up the trial of former Deputy Minister Yoon, who was indicted on charges including occupational embezzlement, violations of the Political Funds Act, destruction of evidence, and violations of the anti-graft law, to hand down such a sentence.
The special counsel team sought two years in prison for former Deputy Minister Yoon over violations of the Political Funds Act, and separately sought two years in prison for three other charges, including embezzlement, violation of the anti-graft law, and destruction of evidence.
The special counsel team said of former Deputy Minister Yoon, "He colluded with political forces to expand the Unification Church's power and his own influence," calling it "a serious crime that undermines representative democracy." It also said former Deputy Minister Yoon made a Unification Church-related request through lawmaker Kwon Seon-dong and "mobilized Unification Church believers for the People Power Party leadership election."
Former Deputy Minister Yoon's side argued in the final defense that, ahead of a 2022 Unification Church event, support was not provided only to a specific party. Yoon's attorney said, "In line with the Unification Church's pacifist ideology, it was essential at the time to have presidential candidates from multiple camps, including the People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea, attend."
At the closing hearing, former Deputy Minister Yoon's side did not say that money and valuables were handed over while mentioning any Democratic Party figure by name. Earlier, during the special counsel's investigation in Aug., former Deputy Minister Yoon testified that he delivered 40 million won in cash and two luxury watches to Minister Jeon Jae-soo, an incumbent lawmaker with the Democratic Party. Minister Jeon denied it, saying, "It's all false."
Former Deputy Minister Yoon was one of the closest aides to Unification Church President Han Hak-ja and was responsible for decisions on Unification Church fund disbursements. In 2022, he was indicted on charges of delivering money and valuables multiple times to Kim through Geonjin, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag.
According to the special counsel, former Deputy Minister Yoon provided money and valuables in an attempt to push through issues including support for the Unification Church's Mekong River development project in Cambodia, the acquisition of YTN, Korea's bid to host the United Nations Fifth Office, and invitations to the presidential inauguration.