Kwon Sungdong, a member of the People Power Party, was arrested on September 16 on charges of receiving 100 million won from the Unification Church in exchange for various favors.
The investigation led by Special Prosecutor Min Jungki, who is probing allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, is expected to gain momentum following the successful detention of Kwon, who is currently a sitting lawmaker.
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 Prosecutor's Office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 27th of last month. Photo by Cho Yongjun
Nam Sejin, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a substantive warrant review for Kwon, who had a warrant requested for his arrest on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act. The judge issued the arrest warrant, stating, "There is concern about the destruction of evidence." This marks the first time since the introduction of the special prosecutor system that a sitting lawmaker has been arrested.
Kwon is accused of receiving 100 million won from Yoon, the former global head of the Unification Church, who was previously indicted and detained. The alleged bribe was given in January 2022, during the 20th presidential election, in exchange for promises to provide votes, organizational support, and financial resources from Unification Church members, in return for promoting Unification Church-related issues as national policy should Yoon Sukyeol win the presidency, which constitutes a violation of the Political Funds Act.
Additionally, Kwon faces allegations that he received a shopping bag filled with cash from Han Hakja, the president of the Unification Church, in February or March 2022. He is also suspected of leaking police investigation information regarding Han's overseas gambling activities to the Unification Church, enabling them to prepare for the investigation.
The special prosecutor's team summoned Kwon for questioning and, just one day later on August 28, requested an arrest warrant for him on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act. On September 11, the National Assembly passed a motion consenting to his arrest.
In the request for consent to arrest Kwon, the special prosecutor's team stated, "This case began with the illegal acceptance of political funds by a suspect who violated the duty of integrity as a lawmaker, leading to collusion between political power and a religious group, manipulation of state affairs, interference in elections, and disruption of the judicial order in South Korea."
In contrast, during a personal statement before the vote on his arrest, Kwon argued, "All the allegations raised by the special prosecutor against me are false. The only thing the special prosecutor has is the false testimony of the provider, and that is why the special prosecutor launched a public campaign akin to a people's court."
During the pre-arrest interrogation held that afternoon, the special prosecutor's team assigned three prosecutors, including the head of the investigation team, to present evidence of Kwon's charges and stress the risk of evidence destruction. In addition to a 160-page written opinion submitted in advance, they reportedly prepared a 130-page PowerPoint presentation.
In particular, the special prosecutor's team presented to the court evidence such as a photo of a Bank of Korea bundle of bills worth 100 million won found on the phone of Yoon's wife, as well as diary entries of Yoon, the former global head, with notes like "Big one 1 sheet support" and "Kwon Sungdong luncheon."
The special prosecutor's team also emphasized concerns about evidence destruction, citing that Kwon replaced his phone at the start of the investigation and communicated with investigators using a phone registered under another name.
With Kwon's arrest, the investigation is expected to accelerate, including into Han Hakja, who has refused to appear for questioning three times.
Han is suspected of conspiring with Yoon to deliver 100 million won in political funds to Kwon while requesting support for the Unification Church from the Yoon Sukyeol administration.
Kwon Seongdong, a member of the People Power Party who is accused of violating the Political Funds Act, is responding to reporters' questions as he arrives at the Kim Gunhee Special Prosecutor's Office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 27th of last month. Photo by Jo Yongjun
Immediately after the arrest warrant was issued, Kwon's side posted a pre-written statement on his Facebook page, claiming the investigation was unjust.
In the post, Kwon wrote, "Political oppression by the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party of Korea has officially begun. This arrest is the first signal flare. Now, the Democratic Party will swarm toward the People Power Party like a school of sharks that has smelled blood. I hope our party will overcome this with unity and determination."
He continued, "This special prosecutor's investigation is creating a fictional case. This is not an investigation but the writing of a novel. That is why, based solely on the extremely weak testimony of the provider, a sitting lawmaker has been arrested. The court that issued the warrant has also surrendered to the Democratic Party. Before the persistent and overbearing attempts to control the judiciary, they have laid down like weak blades of grass. This is truly 'pungdong' (the wind moves the grass)."
He added, "No matter how much I am oppressed, I will surely reveal the truth and prove my innocence. Just as the Moon Jaein administration could not bring me down, the Lee Jaemyung administration will not be able to bring me down either."
After waiting for the results of the review at the Seoul Detention Center, Kwon was immediately processed and taken into custody.
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