Serious Charges Including Fraud, Embezzlement, and Violation of the Political Funds Act
Embezzlement of 3.89 Billion Won and Illegal Use of 8 Billion Won in Political Funds
Honorary Representative Huh Kyungyoung of the National Revolutionary Party, who claims to possess spiritual powers and is accused of selling expensive spiritual products and sexually assaulting followers, has been brought to trial.
On June 11, the Criminal Division 4 of the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jang Ukhwan) announced that Huh had been indicted and detained on charges including fraud, embezzlement, violation of the Political Funds Act, and quasi-forcible molestation.
According to prosecutors, from January 2019 to July 2023, at the religious facility "Haneulgung" in Jangheung-myeon, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, Huh deceived followers by claiming, "I am a divine being who controls human lifespan and fate. If you make an offering, you will be blessed and your wishes will come true," and fraudulently obtained 324.26 million won. He is also accused of molesting followers under the pretext of "energy therapy" by making physical contact. Prosecutors determined that Huh went beyond the bounds of religion to deceive followers and created various spiritual products to sell at high prices.
Huh is also accused of personally misappropriating profits earned from the sale of these spiritual products. It was found that he used approximately 38.9 billion won from a corporation in which he is the sole shareholder for personal purposes. These funds were used for purchasing real estate in his own name, financing political activities, and paying attorney fees. The Supreme Court has ruled that even in the case of a sole proprietorship, the corporation and its owner are separate entities, and using corporate funds for personal purposes constitutes embezzlement.
The indictment also includes violations of the Political Funds Act. Huh is alleged to have used about 8 billion won in corporate funds as political funds when running in the 21st National Assembly election in 2020, the Seoul mayoral by-election in 2021, and the 20th presidential election in 2022. The current Political Funds Act strictly prohibits the use of corporate funds for political purposes.
Prosecutors also believe that Huh committed quasi-forcible molestation against more than 10 followers on a total of 49 occasions, and committed one count of quasi-rape.
Prosecutors have taken provisional seizure measures against the 38.9 billion won in criminal proceeds that Huh is accused of illegally acquiring. This is a temporary court order to prevent the suspect from disposing of assets.
A prosecution official stated, "We will thoroughly investigate any additional crimes committed by Huh and do our utmost to maintain the indictment so that a heavy sentence can be imposed."
Meanwhile, Huh has denied all charges and has also challenged the legality of the investigation. However, on May 16, the Uijeongbu District Court issued an arrest warrant, citing concerns over evidence destruction, and on May 20, his request for a review of the legality of his detention was rejected. After being transferred in custody on May 23, his initial detention period was set until June 1, but it was extended once, and he remained under investigation in detention until the date of this report.
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