Yoon Youngho, Former Unification Church Head Accused of Giving Luxury Goods to First Lady Kim Keonhee, Faces Closing Arguments on the 10th

Seoul Central District Court Postpones Closing Arguments to December 10 for Review of Prosecution's Audio Evidence
Yoon Admits Providing Expensive Luxury Goods to the First Lady
Prosecutors Find Evidence of Attempts to Advance Major Unification Church Projects
Court to Hold Final Arguments and Prosecutor's Sentencing Recommendation at Next Hearing

The criminal trial of Yoon Youngho, former head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, is scheduled for closing arguments on December 10. Yoon, who has been indicted on charges including giving luxury goods to First Lady Kim Keonhee, has admitted to delivering valuables but has argued that his actions were intended to promote the development of the Unification Church.

Yonhap News Agency

The 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court held a continued hearing on December 4 for Yoon, who is facing charges including embezzlement in the course of work and violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Although the trial was initially expected to conclude with closing arguments on that day, the defense requested additional time to review audio recordings submitted by the prosecution, resulting in the final arguments being postponed to December 10.

During his testimony, Yoon did not deny having delivered expensive luxury goods to the First Lady. However, he repeatedly insisted that his actions were not for personal gain. He claimed that he was acting in accordance with the wishes of Hak Ja Han, the leader of the Unification Church, and that the purpose was to maintain a good relationship with influential figures in the ruling party.

Regarding the allegations of using Unification Church funds based on his own judgment, Yoon maintained that it was not for personal consumption but rather a strategic decision at the organizational level. He stated, "I believed it would help enhance the church's image and expand its activities."

Yoon also addressed suspicions that he sought to arrange a meeting between then-presidential candidate Yoon Sukyeol and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at the Peace Summit hosted by the Unification Church in 2022. He denied any political bias, stating, "We also attempted to reach out to the Democratic Party, and there is a recording indicating efforts to approach former chief aide Jeong Jin-sang."

Yoon, who served as the head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, was responsible for key decisions regarding the use of church funds. Prosecutors believe that Yoon provided luxury goods to the First Lady on several occasions and sought to use these actions to advance major Unification Church projects in a favorable direction.

The court is expected to proceed with closing arguments at the next hearing and then determine the sentence.