Police Apply for Arrest Warrant for Heo Kyungyoung on Molestation and Fraud Charges

Charges Include Fraud, Violation of Political Funds Act, and Quasi-Forcible Molestation
Heo's Side Claims "Biased and Illegal Investigation"

Huh Kyungyoung, Honorary Representative of the National Revolutionary Party, held a presidential election candidacy declaration ceremony and performed in front of the Haengjusanseong Great Victory Gate in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province in 2021. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The police have applied for an arrest warrant for Heo Kyungyoung, Honorary Representative of the National Revolutionary Party, on charges including fraud and quasi-forcible molestation.

According to Segye Ilbo and the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency on May 12, the police reportedly applied for an arrest warrant for Heo on May 8 on charges of fraud, violation of the Political Funds Act, and quasi-forcible molestation.

Previously, in December 2023, some followers of Heo's religious facility, "Haneulgung," filed a complaint with the police, claiming that Heo and his associates had sold spiritual products at exorbitant prices far above cost, causing them financial harm. Additionally, other followers filed a separate complaint in February last year, alleging that Heo had inappropriately touched female followers under the pretext of counseling and other activities.

The Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency, which is handling both cases, is investigating the fraud and Political Funds Act violation charges through the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Investigation Unit, while the quasi-forcible molestation charge is being investigated by the Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Unit.

The police have summoned Heo for questioning more than 30 times and have also conducted a search and seizure at Haneulgung, carrying out a lengthy investigation. However, it is reported that the police decided to combine the two cases and apply for an arrest warrant after Heo recently raised questions about the fairness of the investigation by filing complaints and requesting internal inspections against investigators, and by not cooperating with the investigation.

The arrest warrant application is currently under review by the Criminal Division 4 of the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office. An official from the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office stated, "Since the scope of the case is broad and the records are extensive, it will take some time to decide whether to request the arrest warrant from the court."

In contrast, Taerim Law Firm, the legal representative for Heo, has issued a rebuttal regarding the arrest warrant application, claiming that the police conducted a biased investigation based on preconceived notions.

Heo's legal representatives stated, "The investigation team at the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency has disregarded objective evidence from Heo Kyungyoung's side and has conducted a biased and unconvincing illegal investigation. In order to cover up their own unfair and unlawful investigation, they filed for an arrest warrant in a sudden raid without giving any opportunity to explain the newly changed criminal charges and the list of alleged offenses."