The scandal surrounding former ruling party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong is having a significant impact on South Korea’s political life. Allegations of corruption, ties to the Unification Church, and opaque financial transactions have sparked widespread public outcry. What are the hidden aspects of this case, and could it change society’s attitude toward the authorities and religious organizations?
Main allegations and key figures in the scandal
At the center of attention is the suspicion that Kweon Seong-dong received a bribe of 100 million won, which is equivalent to about $72,000. According to investigators, the cash was allegedly handed over personally by Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja. Prosecutors state that enough evidence has been gathered to verify these facts, and Yonhap News Agency regularly updates details of the investigation.
The key figures named are: Kweon himself, church head Han Hak-ja, former aides to President Yoon Suk-yeol, as well as legislative and religious representatives. The ex-president and his wife, former First Lady Kim Kun-hee, are also currently involved in a separate high-profile anti-corruption investigation. These circumstances fuel public distrust, and political opponents seize the opportunity to criticize.
The role of the Unification Church and its leader
The controversial church, founded by Moon Sun-myung, remained influential for many years both religiously and socially. Han Hak-ja is the widow of the founder and the current leader of the Unification Church. According to investigators, since 2011 she has regularly visited Las Vegas, where, according to prosecutors’ estimates, she lost several million dollars gambling in casinos.
Reports from South Korean media refer to information from the M Life Players Club loyalty program, confirming Han’s penchant for gambling and total losses of about $40,000 just in recent trips. Such news did not become a major event, as gambling habits have become widespread. Especially after the industry began to actively develop online. This is easily confirmed by looking at social networks or specialized information sites. After receiving information about Funky Time Game here, our authors were able to establish the growing popularity of this game. And this is just one of many titles (i.e., gaming products), among which there are options for people with a wide variety of interests. And among these people, clergy may well be included.
The investigation indicates that the trips to Las Vegas may have had not only an entertainment but also a business purpose, connected with contacts among overseas church members. However, it is precisely because of these visits that the prosecution considers possible church interference in political processes through financial support for certain politicians.
Suspicions of corruption and political interference
The investigation revealed specific incidents in which former aides to ex-president Yoon allegedly exerted pressure on the police to halt the investigation into Han’s trips to Las Vegas in 2022–2023. Prosecutors claim that wiretapped conversations and leaks showed that politicians warned church representatives in advance about upcoming inspections. This information formed the basis for suspicions of possible collusion between religious structures and part of the political establishment.
At the same time, the investigative team is checking the possibility of organized support from church members in intra-party elections, when Kweon tried to become the leader of the ruling party. Such support could have significantly influenced the balance of power in the power struggle within the party.
The position and arguments of lawmaker Kweon
Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong consistently denies any involvement in all alleged incidents. Through social networks and media publications, he states that he has never accepted bribes or passed confidential information to church representatives. In his Facebook post, he specifically emphasized: “I intend to fully cooperate with the investigation and waive my right to parliamentary immunity.”
Parliamentary immunity in South Korea means that a lawmaker cannot be arrested or held liable without the consent of the legislative body; however, Kweon has already voluntarily waived this legal protection more than once. Earlier, in 2018, he also cooperated with prosecutors during the investigation into violations at the state company Kangwon Land.
Reaction and explanations from the Unification Church
Official representatives of the Unification Church categorically deny any criminal motives in Han Hak-ja’s trips to Las Vegas. According to them, the church leader visited the city exclusively to meet with American members of the organization and to resolve work-related issues. Special attention is drawn to the fact that the church’s Western offices are indeed based in Las Vegas, and Han’s activities were of a missionary nature.
In public statements, the church calls the accusations unfounded and politically motivated, emphasizing that any contacts with politicians took place within the law and during open public events.
Auxiliary episodes and broader context
The investigation is complicated by the fact that South Korea has already faced several high-profile cases at the intersection of politics and the gambling business. An example is the Kangwon Land case, where illegal hiring led to a major scandal. In addition, casino operators are facing new threats: in August 2023, Kangwon Land, together with the police, began to combat deepfake campaigns using images of celebrities to advertise fake gambling sites. Such phenomena raise public concern about the transparency of the industry and the integrity of government agencies.
Context, comparison, and examples
Analysts note that the case of Kweon and the Unification Church reflects chronic distrust toward the alliance of politics and religious groups in South Korea. In recent years, the country has experienced a number of high-profile corruption investigations, including the resignation of President Park Geun-hye in 2017 after a scandal involving the influence of religious intermediaries on the government. Parallels are also drawn with international experience: in Japan, for example, ties to the Unification Church have also become the subject of widespread criticism after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Analysis of controversial points and lack of information
Despite the abundance of publications and leaks, some information regarding the case of Kweon and Han Hak-ja remains unproven and requires further verification. The investigation relies on interrogations, casino documents, and witness testimony, but there have not yet been any official convictions on the key incidents. Some experts express doubts about the completeness of the investigations, noting the bias of certain statements by the parties.
The question remains: is this scandal capable of provoking serious changes in South Korea’s political or religious practices, or will it remain part of a series of high-profile cases that are never fully resolved?