Rep. Kwon Seong-dong of the People Power Party has been arrested on charges of receiving 100 million won from Yoon Young-ho, the former global headquarters director of the Unification Church. This marks the first arrest of a sitting lawmaker in the three special prosecutor investigations (Rebellion, Kim Keon-hee, and Corporal Chae), and it is expected to accelerate the probe into the "Unification Church-Yoon Suk-yeol collusion allegations." Judge Nam Se-jin of the Seoul Central District Court, who is in charge of warrants, issued the arrest warrant, stating, "There is a concern about evidence destruction."
The special prosecution team requested the arrest warrant for Kwon on charges of violating the Political Funds Act on August 28, and the motion was passed by the National Assembly on September 11. Kwon is suspected of meeting with Yoon on January 5, 2022, and receiving 100 million won in exchange for a request to "promote Unification Church policies as national policies if then-presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is elected" and "have candidate Yoon participate in Unification Church events." The special prosecution team views Kwon's actions as a grave crime on par with manipulation of state affairs.
Signs of Kwon Seong-dong's Contact with Unification Church Leader Before and After the Presidential Election
Additional charges against Kwon have also been revealed during the special prosecution's investigation. Kwon is under suspicion of visiting Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han Moon twice before and after the 2022 presidential election, bowing deeply, and taking a shopping bag believed to contain cash. Additionally, the special prosecution team has found evidence that Kwon leaked information about the investigation into Han's overseas gambling to the Unification Church and used a phone under a staffer's name to communicate with Yoon Young-ho and others after the declaration of emergency martial law. These circumstances are expected to serve as crucial evidence to support the charges against Kwon.
Kwon Seong-dong Claims "Innocence," Denies Special Prosecution's Investigation
Kwon has consistently denied the charges. As he appeared for his substantive warrant review, he stated, "I feel miserable. This reminds me of the oppressive investigation under the Moon Jae-in administration. I was innocent then, and I am innocent now. Just as the Moon Jae-in prosecution's investigation was a lie, the Lee Jae-myung special prosecution's investigation is also a lie. I will reveal the truth in court." However, the court did not accept Kwon's claims and decided to issue the arrest warrant. With this arrest, attention is focused on whether the investigation into the "Yoon Suk-yeol-Unification Church collusion allegations" will expand further.
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