Special Prosecutor: "Kwon Seongdong Not Exercising Right to Remain Silent"
'Geonjin' Jeon Seongbae and Lee Iljun Also Under Investigation
Final Pre-Indictment Summons for Kim Gunhee Scheduled for Morning of the 28th
It has been determined that Min Jungki's special prosecutor team, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Gunhee, focused its questioning of Assemblyman Kwon Seongdong of the People Power Party, who was summoned on the 27th, on his relationship with the Unification Church and related matters. It was confirmed that Assemblyman Kwon did not exercise his right to remain silent and is actively providing testimony.
Kwon Sungdong, a member of the People Power Party accused of violating the Political Funds Act, is stating his position as he arrives at the Kim Gunhee special prosecution office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 27th. This is the first time a sitting member of the National Assembly is being investigated by a special prosecution over allegations related to the Unification Church. 2025.8.27 Photo by Jo Yongjun
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Sangjin stated during a regular briefing that afternoon, "We have conducted an investigation into the circumstances and nature of Assemblyman Kwon's contact and relationship with the Unification Church," adding, "He is not exercising his right to remain silent and is actively giving statements." The investigation is also being video recorded.
The special prosecutor team summoned Assemblyman Kwon, who is accused of violating the Political Funds Act, as a suspect at 10 a.m. that day for questioning. It is known that the team prepared a list of around 50 questions for the investigation.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park also indicated the possibility of additional questioning, saying, "There are many issues we are curious about regarding Assemblyman Kwon, so if today's investigation is not sufficient, further questioning will naturally be necessary."
Assemblyman Kwon is suspected of receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds after being requested by the Unification Church to provide support for events. The special prosecutor team is also investigating allegations that, ahead of the party convention in March 2023, the Unification Church enlisted a large number of its members to join the party in order to help elect Assemblyman Kwon as party leader, as well as suspicions that he received a shopping bag filled with cash from Han Hakja, president of the Unification Church.
In relation to this, the special prosecutor team attempted to conduct a search and seizure at the People Power Party headquarters to secure the party membership list, but the attempt was thwarted due to strong opposition from the party. Deputy Special Prosecutor Park stated, "We are considering reapplying for a search and seizure warrant," and clarified, "This is not a search and seizure of the party membership list itself, but a request for cooperation regarding the party membership registration list."
On the same day, the special prosecutor team also summoned Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Bopsa, who is suspected of delivering various requests to the First Lady, for a second round of questioning after his arrest. Lee Iljun, chairman of Sambu Construction, was also summoned as a witness in connection with the Wellbiotech stock manipulation allegations.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor team plans to conduct its final pre-indictment questioning of First Lady Kim Gunhee at 10 a.m. on the 28th. The team is expected to focus on issues related to the alleged stock manipulation of Deutsche Motors during the investigation, and then refer the case to trial on the 29th.
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