Former Unification Church Head Gets 1 Year, 2 Months for Bribery
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Yun Young-ho, former world head of the Unification Church, who is accused of offering bribes to former first lady Kim Keon-hee, the spouse of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and Kweon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, was sentenced to 1 year and 2 months in prison in the first trial. Earlier, the Min Joong-ki special prosecutor team had demanded a prison sentence of 4 years for Yun.
The 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Judge Woo In-sung) stated on the 28th during the first trial sentencing for Yun’s case involving violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and the Political Funds Act, “We sentence 8 months in prison for the violation of the Political Funds Act and 6 months in prison for the violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.” However, regarding the charge of evidence destruction, the court dismissed the indictment, stating, “It cannot be considered a subject of investigation under the Act on the Appointment of Special Prosecutors, etc.”
Yun is accused of offering First Lady Kim two Chanel bags worth a total of 20 million Korean won, one Graff diamond necklace worth 62.2 million Korean won, and concentrated ginseng tea through Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman widely known as Geonjin, between April and July 2022 (violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act). In response, Yun’s side argued, “It is unclear whether the Chanel bags were delivered to Jeon Seong-bae, and in the case of the necklace, Jeon embezzled it.” However, the court recognized all charges as guilty, stating, “There is no reason for Jeon to jeopardize the trust relationship with First Lady Kim while embezzling.” The court also found Yun guilty of occupational embezzlement committed during the process of purchasing the aforementioned items.
The court also found Yun guilty of offering 100 million Korean won to Representative Kweon on January 5, 2022, asking him to use it for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was the People Power Party’s presidential candidate at the time (violation of the Political Funds Act). The court recognized as key evidence Yun’s diary entry dated January 5, 2022, which read, ‘Lunch with Representative Kweon Seong-dong (63 Building) – big one sheet support (support)’, a KakaoTalk message Yun sent to Representative Kweon the same day stating, ‘What I gave today is small, but I hope you will use it effectively for the candidate,’ and a KakaoTalk message Yun sent to a Unification Church official a week later on January 12 of the same year, which said, ‘I provided support at the trust level to Kweon (Representative Kweon Seong-dong) that day.’
Additionally, the court considered a photo found on the mobile phone of Yun’s spouse, Lee Mo, showing 100 million Korean won in cash packed into two boxes, each containing 50 million Korean won, as having probative value.
In response, Yun’s side argued, “The evidence presented by the special counsel was illegally collected from the investigation stage and lacks evidentiary capacity.” They claimed it was not lawful because the evidence was secured during the execution of a search and seizure warrant related to First Lady Kim’s receipt of valuables. However, the court rejected this, stating, “The Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that search and seizure of related evidence is possible,” and “(the two cases) are factually related and have recognized personal connections.”
On the other hand, the court ruled that the special counsel lacked investigative authority regarding the charge of evidence destruction, where Yun instructed the deletion of evidence related to the source of gambling funds after being contacted by police investigating Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja’s illegal overseas gambling. The court stated, “The case does not fall under the subjects of investigation under the Act on the Appointment of Special Prosecutors, etc.,” and “The indictment procedure violated the law and is invalid,” pointing out the special counsel’s investigation into a separate case.
Regarding the sentencing factors, the court stated, “The defendant used his position as world head to provide valuables to First Lady Kim and Representative Kweon and embezzled Unification Church funds,” and “This infringed on the fair execution of national policies and public trust, regardless of whether the solicitation was realized.” However, it added that Yun’s sincere cooperation with the investigation and lack of prior criminal record were considered favorable sentencing factors.
After the court read the ruling, Yun bowed to the judge and left the courtroom. Yun, who has been detained at the Seoul Detention Center, will remain in custody following this sentencing.
Content retrieved from: https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/01/28/RNARZHNZTBGTXFORZAQVAHMN4U/.
