Joint Investigation Team Summons Former Lawmaker Kim Kyuhwan for Second Round Over Unification Church Cash Lobbying Allegations

Kim Kyuhwan Denies Allegations,

Says "The Timing Doesn't Make Sense"

The Joint Investigation Headquarters of Police and Prosecutors, which is investigating suspicions of collusion between the Unification Church, Shincheonji, and political circles, summoned former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Kyuhwan for a second round of questioning on March 5 regarding allegations of cash lobbying by the Unification Church targeting politicians. This is his second summons, following the previous one on February 25.

Former Lawmaker Kim Kyu-hwan Appears at Joint Investigation Headquarters of Police and Prosecutors. Yonhap News

The joint investigation team began questioning former lawmaker Kim around 10 a.m. that day, treating him as a suspect accused of violating the Political Funds Act.

Kim Kyuhwan is suspected of receiving 30 million won in cash inside a box from Han Hakja, president of the Unification Church, and Yoon Youngho, former head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, during a visit to Cheonjeonggung in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, ahead of the 21st general election in 2020. The money was allegedly given with the instruction to "use it well for the general election."

The joint investigation team suspects that the Unification Church offered the money to Kim, who was a member of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee at the time, intending to use him as a lobbying channel for the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel project, which was a long-cherished goal of the church.

Kim Kyuhwan has denied the allegations. Upon entering the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of March 5, he stated, "I was cut from the nomination on March 6, 2020, and declared I would not run on March 24. Claiming that I received money in April 'to use for the election' does not make sense," adding, "I will provide a thorough explanation and come out."

He also drew a clear line regarding the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel, saying he has no connection whatsoever. Kim said, "I have never heard of the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel, nor have I ever discussed it," and added, "I am someone who believes our country should not pursue an undersea tunnel project."

Previously, in August of last year, Yoon Youngho testified to the special prosecutor team investigating Kim Keonhee (Special Prosecutor Min Junggi) that he had provided money to five politicians, including Kim Kyuhwan, between 2018 and 2020.

The joint investigation team is expected to once again question Kim regarding suspicions that he received money from the church under the pretext of election support during the investigation on March 5.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.