On the 18th, the special investigation team related to Kim Keon-hee announced that it has arrested and indicted former head of the World Peace Unification Family Federation (Unification Church) Yoon Young-ho and a person surnamed Lee, known to be a close aide of Jeon Seong-bae.
During a press briefing that afternoon, the special investigation team said, “Today (the 18th), we arrested and indicted former head Yoon and Mr. Lee.” Former head Yoon faces charges of violating the Anti-Graft Act and the Political Fund Act, as well as embezzlement in office, while Mr. Lee is charged with soliciting bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Former head Yoon is accused of delivering two Chanel bags worth 20 million won and a British Graff diamond necklace valued at around 60 million won, along with concentrated Chunsusam tea, to Jeon Seong-bae with the intention of soliciting help regarding Unification Church issues from Kim Keon-hee between April and June 2022.
The special investigation team suspects that former head Yoon provided expensive gifts to Jeon to request issues such as the development of the Mekong River site in Cambodia for Official Development Assistance (ODA), acquiring YTN, and invitations to the presidential inauguration ceremony. The Unification Church contends that “former head Yoon's actions were personal transgressions.”
Additionally, former head Yoon is also accused of delivering 100 million won in cash to Kweon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, on January 5, 2022, with the intent to support then-presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol (violation of the Political Fund Act). Furthermore, allegations have emerged that Mr. Jeon and former head Yoon attempted to recruit a large number of Unification Church members to join the People Power Party ahead of the January 2023 party convention to make Kweon the party leader.
Mr. Lee is reported to have played a role in conveying requests he received from corporations to Mr. Jeon.
Meanwhile, on the 30th of last month, the court issued arrest warrants for these individuals, stating that there is a risk of destroying evidence and fleeing.