Special Counsel Seeks 4 Years for Rep. Kwon Seong-dong in Appeal Over Unification Church Funds

Special prosecutors again sought a four-year prison term for People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong in his appeal over allegations he took 100 million won (about $100,000) in political funds from the Unification Church. The case has focused on whether money and requests exchanged ahead of a presidential election reflected improper ties between politics and a religious group.

At a closing hearing Monday at the Seoul High Court, the special counsel team investigating Kim Keon Hee, led by Special Counsel Min Jung-ki, asked the court to sentence Kwon to four years in prison and order forfeiture of 100 million won. The request matches what prosecutors sought at the first trial.

The special counsel argued Kwon accepted illegal political funds through his relationship with the church. “The defendant colluded with a specific religious group and received a large sum of 100 million won in political funds,” the team said, adding that it undermined election fairness and violated a lawmaker’s duty of integrity.

Prosecutors said the Unification Church made requests to Kwon, described as a so-called “Yoon core” figure, while supporting Yoon Suk Yeol during the 20th presidential election.

They also cited Kwon’s conduct after the alleged offense, claiming he showed no remorse and tried to destroy evidence by contacting related figures and checking on the investigation’s status.

“Given the circumstances and method of the crime and the amount received, the offense is extremely serious,” the special counsel said, urging the court to dismiss Kwon’s appeal and impose a heavier sentence.

Kwon was indicted on allegations that in January 2022 he met Yoon Young-ho, a former Unification Church world headquarters chief, at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, and received 100 million won along with requests for support for the church. Prosecutors say the church sought to have its pending issues advanced as government policy in exchange for organizational support and votes from members during the election.

In January, the first trial court found Kwon guilty on all counts and sentenced him to two years in prison and forfeiture of 100 million won. The court said taking illegal political funds betrayed constitutional responsibilities and undermined the purpose of the Political Funds Act.

If the ruling is finalized, Kwon would lose his parliamentary seat and face restrictions on running for office for the next 10 years.

Both the special counsel and Kwon appealed the first ruling. Kwon’s lawyers again disputed the allegations, saying it was “hard to accept” that 100 million won in cash could have been exchanged in broad daylight. They said the Unification Church offered election funding but Kwon rejected it, and denied he accepted money or granted any favors.