[Exclusive] Youngho Yoon Testifies: "Gwangseok Song Involved in Bribes to Jongseong Lim and Kyuhwan Kim"

Youngho Yoon Identifies Gwangseok Song as the Architect of 'Political Lobbying'

"Jongseong Lim and Kyuhwan Kim Were Close... Also Determined the Size of Bribes"

"Jaesoo Jeon Hesitated to Accept, Then Took the Money"

It has been confirmed that Youngho Yoon, former head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, testified that former Democratic Party lawmaker Jongseong Lim and former Future United Party lawmaker Kyuhwan Kim were close to Kwangseok Song, former president of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF). Evidence also indicates that former president Song was involved in the process of determining the scale of bribes provided by the Unification Church to these politicians.

According to a summary of reporting by The Asia Business Daily on the 24th, the joint investigation headquarters of the prosecution and police is examining evidence of lobbying within political circles, based on Mr. Yoon’s statement that “former president Song was close to the two politicians,” and that “since former president Song suggested giving that amount (of bribes), I know the figure.” During an investigation by the special prosecutor’s team for Gunhee Kim in August last year, Mr. Yoon stated that “President Hakja Han met with former lawmakers Jongseong Lim and Kyuhwan Kim at Cheonjeonggung ahead of the 2020 general election and handed over boxes containing cash worth about 30 million won each.”

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Jongseong Lim (left) and former Future Unified Party lawmaker Kyuhwan Kim, who are suspected of accepting money from the Unification Church, are stating their positions as they appear before the joint investigation headquarters of the prosecution and police regarding religious collusion. Photo by Yonhap News

In an internal Unification Church document secured by investigators, titled “TM (True Mother·President Hakja Han) Special Report,” the two politicians were mentioned as subjects for special management. The document, prepared ahead of the 2020 general election, explicitly designated former lawmaker Kyuhwan Kim as an “individual for special operations,” and both he and former lawmaker Jongseong Lim were listed as key figures to be managed.

Former president Kwangseok Song, identified as a main conduit for lobbying, is considered the most familiar Unification Church figure within political circles. He has approached politicians through Unification Church-affiliated organizations with relatively little religious color, such as the UPF, the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), and the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation (KCRC). Based on Mr. Yoon’s testimony, the joint investigation headquarters believes that former lawmakers Jongseong Lim and Kyuhwan Kim came into contact with the Unification Church through former president Song.

In the case of Democratic Party lawmaker Jaesoo Jeon, a separate testimony was presented that did not involve former president Song. Mr. Yoon testified that President Hakja Han handed over a luxury watch and 20 to 30 million won in cash in a small box to Mr. Jeon at Cheonjeonggung in 2018, and that when Mr. Jeon expressed uncertainty about whether to accept it, she told him, “It’s a blessing money, so it’s okay to accept it.”

However, the individuals involved have completely denied the allegations. When appearing before the joint investigation headquarters, former lawmaker Jongseong Lim stated, “I have never communicated with Mr. Yoon, and there is no related record in the forensic examination of my phone.” Former lawmaker Kyuhwan Kim also rebutted, “I have never met President Han or Mr. Yoon.” Mr. Jeon has maintained that the allegations are “groundless.”

Meanwhile, the appellate verdict for Mr. Yoon, who was sentenced to one year and two months in prison in the first trial for charges of lobbying on behalf of the Unification Church and providing money and valuables, will be handed down on the 27th of next month.

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