'Unification Church 100 Million Won Bribery' Kwon Seongdong's First Trial Today... Defendant's Appearance to Be Disclosed

First Hearing Scheduled for 5 p.m. on October 28

The first trial for Kwon Seongdong, a member of the People Power Party who has been indicted and detained on charges of receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church, will take place on October 28. On this day, the court granted permission for media outlets to film Kwon's criminal trial proceedings.

Kwon Seongdong, a member of the People Power Party accused of accepting illegal political funds, is leaving the plenary hall after voting on the motion for his arrest consent at the National Assembly plenary session on September 11, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo Inseong) decided to allow media outlets to film the first hearing of Kwon's trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Act, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. on the same day.

According to the Supreme Court regulations on courtroom attendance and filming, filming is only permitted before the start of the hearing. In addition, filming from the judge's bench is prohibited, and filming must not cause any disturbance.

Previously, Kwon was indicted and detained by the special prosecutor's team led by Special Prosecutor Min Junggi on charges of receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from Yoon, the former global director of the Unification Church, in 2022, ahead of the presidential election, in exchange for requests to resolve church-related issues.

As a sitting lawmaker, Kwon was detained on September 16 after the National Assembly passed the motion for his arrest consent, and was handed over to trial on October 2. In connection with these charges, the special prosecutor's team requested a provisional seizure of Kwon's assets, and the Seoul Central District Court granted the request.