Hak Ja Han and Kwon Seong-dong Special Prosecutor Trials Begin in Earnest... NewJeans Exclusive Contract Ruling Also Expected [This Week's Court Schedule]

[Financial News] Trials prosecuted by the Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Team, led by Min Joong-ki, are set to begin in earnest. This week, a series of trials will be held for Hak Ja Han, President of the Unification Church, who is under suspicion of collusion between religion and politics, and Kwon Seong-dong, a People Power Party lawmaker accused of receiving illegal political funds. The trial of Jeon Sungbae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, who reversed his testimony, is also drawing attention. In addition, the ruling on the exclusive contract validity lawsuit between the girl group NewJeans and their agency ADOR will be delivered.
According to the legal community on the 26th, the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court will hold the first preparatory hearing on the 27th for Hak Ja Han, President of the Unification Church, her secretary identified as Jeong, and others, who are charged with embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. They are accused of delivering 100 million won in cash to Kwon Seong-dong, a People Power Party lawmaker, splitting 144 million won of Unification Church funds to donate to People Power Party lawmakers, and giving a Graff necklace and other gifts to First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
On the 28th, the same court will hold the first preparatory hearing for Kwon Seong-dong, who is charged with violating the Political Funds Act. Kwon is accused of accepting 100 million won in cash from Yoon Young-ho, former global head of the Unification Church, and receiving requests related to Unification Church matters. On the 31st, the 34th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Sung-Jin Han) will open the first trial for Lee Il-joon, Chairman of SAMBU Construction, former CEO Lee Eung-geun, and former Vice Chairman Kihun Lee.
As cases from the Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Team move to the courtroom, the most notable trial is that of Jeon Sungbae, known as Geonjin Beopsa. On the 21st, Jeon reversed his previous testimony and submitted the jewelry he received from the Unification Church and delivered to First Lady Kim to the special prosecutor. On the 24th, Jeon again acknowledged this fact as a witness in Kim's trial. It remains to be seen whether Jeon will provide detailed explanations about the circumstances and background during this trial.
The first-instance verdict for Noh Woong-rae, a former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker charged with accepting illegal political funds, will be delivered on the 29th. Noh is accused of receiving 60 million won from businessman Park for facilitating power plant supply deals, solar power projects, logistics center permits, and campaign funds between February and December 2020. Prosecutors have requested a four-year prison sentence, a 200 million won fine, and the forfeiture of 50 million won.
Meanwhile, the 41st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Jung Hoe-il) will issue a ruling on the exclusive contract validity lawsuit between ADOR and NewJeans on the 30th. On December 3 of last year, ADOR filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of its contract with NewJeans. The court attempted mediation, but both parties failed to reach an agreement. If NewJeans wins the case, the group will be free from the contract, but as they already lost the injunction, the outcome remains uncertain.
The verdict in the damages lawsuit filed by Tzuyang (real name Park Jung-won) against YouTubers Gujeyeok (real name Junhee Lee) and Jujak Inspector (real name Jeon Guk-jin) for 100 million won will also be delivered on the 27th. Last year, Tzuyang revealed on her YouTube channel that she had suffered years of dating violence from her former agency CEO and ex-boyfriend, referred to as Mr. A. She also confessed to being threatened by YouTubers Gujeyeok and Jujak Inspector, who exploited her victimization.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter