South Korean Lawmaker Arrested on Charges of Receiving Illicit Funds
A Seoul court has issued an arrest warrant for Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the People Power Party, charging him with receiving over 100 million won in illicit funds from a Unification Church official ahead of the 2022 presidential election. The funds were allegedly provided in exchange for influence peddling and support for the Unification Church. This development comes as part of a larger corruption investigation into former first lady Kim Keon Hee and her connections to the Unification Church.
Key Takeaways:
- Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, a five-term lawmaker from the People Power Party, has been arrested on charges of receiving 100 million won in illicit funds from a Unification Church official.
- The funds were allegedly provided in exchange for influence peddling and support for the Unification Church, including informing the church of a police investigation into Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja.
- The arrest warrant was issued by the Seoul Central District Court, citing concerns that Kweon could destroy evidence.
- The case is part of a broader corruption investigation into former first lady Kim Keon Hee and her connections to the Unification Church.
- Kweon was once seen as a close confidant of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and had been accused of corruption during the previous liberal President Moon Jae-in's administration, for which he was later acquitted.
- Rep. Kweon Seong-dong has denied the allegations, stating "I was innocent then, and I am innocent this time as well."
Statistics:
- 100 million won (approximately $72,000): the amount of illicit funds allegedly received by Rep. Kweon Seong-dong from a Unification Church official.
- February-March 2022: the period during which Rep. Kweon allegedly received shopping bags full of cash from Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja.
Sources:
- Yonhap News Agency, 17 Sep 2025: "Court issues arrest warrant for Rep. Kweon Seong-dong on charges of receiving illicit funds"