Special Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrant for Unification Church Leader

A Tumultuous Day in Gwanghwamun

On October 2nd, Special Prosecutor Min Jung-gi unveiled the new office plaque at KT Gwanghwamun Building before announcing an arrest warrant request for former Unification Church global headquarters chief Mr. Yoon. The decision follows allegations that Yoon funneled a diamond necklace and Chanel bags to First Lady Kim Gun-hee through mystic figure Jeon Seong-bae to secure church interests ranging from YTN acquisition to UN office relocation.
Excitement rippled through journalists as the prosecutor’s team prepared to intensify the high-stakes probe into allegations of bribery and embezzlement.

Unraveling the Jewelry and Luxury Bags

Prosecutors allege that between April and August 2022, Yoon delivered a diamond necklace valued at 60 million KRW and two Chanel bags worth 20 million KRW to Jeon for Kim’s attention. Yoon insists these were approved by church leader Han Hak-ja, while the church contends they were Yoon’s personal deviations. Investigators have yet to recover the gifts; Jeon claims they were lost, heightening suspicions of evidence tampering. As this lavish scandal unfolds, it highlights Korea’s complex ties between politics, religion, and wealth.

Political and Community Reactions

The warrant request triggered heated debate online. On Naver communities, roughly 65% of posts condemned the alleged religious–political collusion, with comments like ‘How deep does this go?!’ dominating the discussion. Tistory bloggers echoed skepticism, some lamenting ‘religion should stay out of elections.’ Meanwhile, a minority defended Kim as uninvolved in direct wrongdoing. International observers are struck by the Unification Church’s enduring influence and the fervor of fandom-like support networks that mirror K-pop fan dynamics.

What’s Next for the Investigation

Following searches at around ten locations, including Yoon’s home and Gapyong church headquarters, the special prosecutor summoned Yoon on October 22nd. If detained, prosecutors plan to extract further testimony before questioning current church leadership. With the 2023 People Power Party leadership election under scrutiny for alleged mass church member enrollments, this case may reshape future church–state relations. Stay tuned as Korea watches whether justice will finally catch up to this extraordinary web of intrigue.