Special Prosecutor Seeks 4-Year Prison Term for Former Unification Church Chief Yoon Youngho: "Undermining Representative Democracy"

Two Years for Violation of the Political Funds Act
Two Years for Three Other Charges Including Embezzlement

Kim Gunhee, the wife of the President, and several lawmakers from the People Power Party allegedly received money and valuables from Yoon Youngho, the former Head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, who is now on trial. The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki has requested a total prison sentence of four years for Yoon.

Yoon Youngho, Former Head of the Unification Church World Headquarters. Photo by Yonhap News

On December 10, the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo Inseong) held the final hearing in Yoon's trial, who was indicted on charges of embezzlement in the course of duty, violation of the Political Funds Act, destruction of evidence, and violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The prosecution requested this sentence from the court.

The special prosecutor team requested a two-year prison sentence for Yoon’s violation of the Political Funds Act, and an additional two years for the other three charges-embezzlement, violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and destruction of evidence-totaling four years. In their closing statement, the special prosecutor team said, “Yoon colluded with political forces to expand the influence of the Unification Church and his own power. This is a grave crime that undermines representative democracy and has seriously shaken public trust.” They added, “Yoon lobbied for Unification Church-related interests through Assemblyman Kwon Seondong and mobilized Unification Church members for the People Power Party leadership election.”

The prosecution further argued that Yoon attempted to resolve Unification Church-related issues through two channels: by providing money and valuables to Kim Gunhee via Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjinbeopsa. In response, Yoon’s defense team, as in previous hearings, argued that he did not support only a particular political party.

The defense maintained that, ahead of a Unification Church event in 2022, Yoon did not limit his support to any specific political faction. They stated, “In line with the Unification Church’s ideology of peace, it was essential to include presidential candidates from both the People Power Party and the Democratic Party. We believe the Unification Church did not approach only one party, and there is room for misunderstanding.”

As the closest aide to Unification Church President Han Hakja and the former Head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, Yoon was responsible for deciding on the disbursement of Unification Church funds. He is also suspected of serving as a conduit for political lobbying.

Yoon was brought to trial for allegedly providing Kim Gunhee with a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag on multiple occasions through Jeon Seongbae in 2022. Investigations found that he provided these valuables to facilitate various Unification Church agendas, including support for the Mekong River development project in Cambodia, the acquisition of YTN by the Unification Church, the bid to host the United Nations Fifth Secretariat in Korea, and invitations to the presidential inauguration.