A special counsel team demanded a four-year prison term for People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday. Kweon is accused of receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church in 2022, in exchange for helping the church gain policy favors after Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential election victory. As a close confidant of former President Yoon, Kweon faces calls for a heavy sentence due to evidence destruction and an unrepentant attitude.
The special counsel team sought a four-year prison sentence and a 100 million won forfeit for five-term People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong during a trial at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday. Kweon is accused of receiving 100 million won (US$67,570) from a former Unification Church official in 2022, following Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential election victory that year. The payment was allegedly in exchange for Kweon's assistance in securing policy favors for the church, with the official promising to mobilize church members' votes in support of Yoon.
Park Sang-jin, a member of special counsel Min Joong-ki's team, stated at the trial, "As a prominent member of the National Assembly, the defendant, more than others, had a responsibility to work to defend constitutional values and protect the rights and interests of the people, but he damaged constitutional values and betrayed the people's trust by conspiring with a certain religious group to receive 100 million won in political funds." Park further accused Kweon of opening channels for the church to influence political circles and prioritizing private and religious interests over his legislative role. He argued that Kweon deserved a heavy sentence for attempting to destroy evidence during the investigation and showing no remorse.
Known as one of former President Yoon's close confidants, Kweon served as the PPP's floor leader until June. The special counsel arrested him in September and indicted him the following month. The case highlights concerns over undue influence between political figures and religious groups, potentially eroding public trust in governance.
