Minister Jeon Jae-soo Faces 'Unification Church Bribery Allegations' Amidst Truth Battle

[Financial News] Allegations that Jeon Jae-soo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, received tens of millions of won in cash and luxury watches from the Unification Church have escalated into a battle over the truth. Young Ho Yun, former director of the Unification Church World Headquarters, claimed during an investigation by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki’s team that Jeon accepted money and valuables, which Jeon immediately denied. There is also growing interest in whether Yun will further disclose the names of Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmakers who allegedly received support in the past.
According to legal sources on the 10th, Young Ho Yun stated during an August investigation by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki’s team that "then-lawmaker Jeon Jae-soo visited Cheonjeonggung, met President Hak Ja Han, and was handed approximately 40 million won in cash," and that "two boxes of watches were also delivered."
Yun recalled the delivery of money and valuables occurred between 2018 and 2019. During the investigation, he specified luxury brands such as Cartier and Bulgari, insisting his claims were factual.
After these allegations surfaced in media reports, Jeon Jae-soo categorically denied any wrongdoing. On Facebook on the 9th, he stated, "All bribery allegations against me are completely false; not a single one is true," adding, "I have never received any money or valuables from the Unification Church or anyone else, either in my official capacity or privately."
Young Ho Yun is also accused of giving luxury bags and necklaces to Kim Keon Hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Jeon Sung-bae, known as 'Geonjin Bopsa,' in April and July 2022, in exchange for favors. He is currently on trial for allegedly providing 100 million won in illegal political funds to Kweon Seong-dong, a People Power Party lawmaker.
During his trial on the 5th, Yun further stirred controversy by claiming that he had provided bribe money not only to the People Power Party but also to the DPK. Under cross-examination, he asserted that ahead of the 2022 presidential election, he "approached" both parties, explaining that he hedged his bets due to the unpredictable outcome.
Yun has reportedly announced that he will reveal the names of current and former DPK lawmakers who allegedly received money from the Unification Church during his trial at 4 p.m. today. Should he actually disclose these names, the revelations could spark a major Unification Church scandal in the political arena, even after the special prosecutor’s investigation.
However, some observers predict the case may become complicated due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. If Yun’s statements are accurate, the alleged illegal political donations would have occurred during the Moon Jae-in administration from 2018 to 2021, and the statute of limitations could expire as early as this year. Violations of the Political Funds Act (punishable by up to five years in prison) carry a seven-year statute of limitations.
However, if the investigative authorities reclassify the case as bribery or as a violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (mediation of bribery), the potential sentence may increase, thereby extending the statute of limitations.
hwlee@fnnews.com Lee Hwan-joo Reporter