People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, who was arrested and indicted on charges of receiving illegal political funds from the Unification Church, was sentenced in a first trial to two years in prison.
The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 27, led by Presiding Judge Woo In-sung, held a sentencing hearing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday for Kwon on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. The court also ordered forfeiture of 100 million won.
Kwon was accused of taking 100 million won on Jan. 5, 2022, ahead of the 20th presidential election, from Yoon Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church’s World Headquarters, allegedly to facilitate lobbying. He was arrested and indicted in the case.
At a closing argument hearing on Dec. 17 last year, the special prosecutor team led by Min Joong-ki (the Kim Keon Hee special counsel team) asked the court to sentence Kwon to four years in prison and order forfeiture of 100 million won.
The court said it recognized that Kwon received the 100 million won, citing that he visited Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, met church leader Han Hak-ja, arranged a private meeting with then-President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol, and attended Unification Church events.
The court rejected Kwon’s arguments, including claims that the indictment violated the principle barring prejudicial statements and that the case fell outside the special counsel’s investigative scope. On the indictment, the court said it was “somewhat lengthy and includes inappropriate parts,” but did not prejudice the judge or hinder understanding of the alleged crime, and therefore did not violate the rule.
On the scope of the special counsel law, the court said a matter may be investigated if it has a reasonable connection to cases defined under Article 2, adding that the special counsel learned of the alleged Political Funds Act violation while investigating allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee received valuables. The court also did not accept Kwon’s claim that evidence was illegally obtained.
In explaining the sentence, the court said lawmakers have a constitutional duty of integrity and must act accordingly. It said Kwon took 100 million won in political funds from the Unification Church, betraying public expectations and responsibilities and damaging democracy.
As aggravating factors, the court said Kwon served 15 years as a prosecutor and 16 years as a lawmaker and previously chaired the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, making him a legal expert who would have understood the legal meaning of his actions. It also said he denied the charges from the investigation stage and showed no signs of remorse.
As mitigating factors, the court said Kwon did not actively demand money from Yoon and noted his roughly 30 years in public service contributing to the country and society, as well as the absence of any notable criminal record. It then imposed a two-year prison term and forfeiture of 100 million won.
After the ruling, Kwon sat with his head lowered. Some people in the gallery cried, and a disturbance broke out outside the courtroom.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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