Court Cites "Concern About Destruction of Evidence and Risk of Flight"
Lee Also Detained Over "Geonjin Beopsa Lobbying" Allegations
Yoon, the former global headquarters chief of the Unification Church, who is accused of attempting to bribe First Lady Kim Keonhee through Geonjin Beopsa and seeking favors, was arrested on July 30.
Yoon Mo, former head of the Unification Church's global headquarters and a key figure in the 'Geonjinhopsa bribery suspicion' case, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Court on the 30th for a warrant hearing. Photo by Yonhap News
On this day, Jeong Jaeuk, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Yoon at the request of the special prosecutor's team on charges including violation of the Anti-Graft Act, embezzlement in the course of duty, and violation of the Political Funds Act. The court explained its decision by stating, "There is a concern about the destruction of evidence and a risk of flight."
With Yoon now in custody, Min Jungki's special prosecutor team, which is investigating allegations surrounding First Lady Kim, is expected to accelerate its investigation into the Geonjin Beopsa lobbying allegations.
Yoon is accused of delivering a high-priced diamond necklace and a Chanel bag to the First Lady through Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, between April and August 2022, in exchange for lobbying on behalf of Unification Church interests.
The lobbying requests reportedly included support for the Unification Church's Mekong River development project in Cambodia, the Unification Church's acquisition of YTN, attracting the United Nations Fifth Secretariat to South Korea, and an invitation to the presidential inauguration ceremony.
While Yoon has admitted to delivering the items and making the requests, he has claimed that he acted with the approval and authorization of higher-ups, including Unification Church President Han Hakja.
The special prosecutor's team also uncovered indications that Yoon and Jeon attempted to have Unification Church members join the People Power Party as party members in order to support lawmaker Kwon Seongdong in the party leadership election held in March 2023.
The special prosecutor's team searched Yoon's residence and the Unification Church headquarters in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on July 18, and subsequently summoned Yoon for questioning on July 22.
The search warrant at the time named President Han, the No. 1 or No. 2 figure in the Unification Church, and Lee, the chief administrative officer, as suspects for accepting bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
The special prosecutor's team is expected to soon summon senior figures from the Unification Church for questioning, while also tightening its investigation into Jeon.
An arrest warrant was also issued on the same day for Lee, who is accused of receiving money and valuables in connection with the Geonjin Beopsa lobbying allegations. Lee Jeongjae, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, issued the warrant citing concerns about the destruction of evidence and risk of flight. Lee, who is known to be close to Jeon, is accused of receiving money and valuables as compensation for lobbying on matters related to public officials' duties, in violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
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