Jeon Won-ju’s confidence in receiving a “suspended sentence”? (2026-08-01)

[최종근]

Jeon Won-ju’s confidence in receiving a “suspended sentence”?—Special Prosecutor sought 10 years in prison… Some believe a “prison sentence is inevitable” (2026-08-01)

It is reported that Jeong Won-ju and the Unification Church leadership are confident that the court will hand down a “suspended sentence” to Jeong Won-ju in the August 31 verdict, despite the fact that the Special Prosecutor’s Office sought a harsh sentence of 10 years in prison,

Based on this view, the Unification Church leadership is reportedly gauging Jeong Won-ju’s reaction and adopting a stance that does not go against her wishes.

◆ Four reasons the Special Prosecutor sought a harsh sentence

1. Despite being the Unification Church’s “de facto number two,” she downplayed her own position and role

The Special Prosecutor’s Office characterizes Jeong Won-ju as the “de facto number two”—as Chief of Staff to President Han Hak-ja and her closest confidante, she consistently attended operational briefings by high-ranking executives, actively assisted in the church’s critical decision-making, and exerted immense influence over personnel matters and financial management.

On the other hand, the Special Prosecutor took issue with the fact that, during the trial, Jeong Won-ju asserted, “I am merely a secretary,” and is attempting to evade criminal liability by downplaying her own status and role.

2. Specific criminal charges

The Special Prosecutor’s Office charged Jeong Won-ju with: (1) violating the Political Funds Act by conspiring with President Han Hak-ja to provide 100 million won in political funds to former lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong and by being involved in split donations to the “People Power Party”; (2) violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act by giving Ms. Kim Keon-hee a Chanel bag and a Graff necklace; (3) embezzlement for leading the conversion of believers’ donations into slush funds and their remittance to President Han Hak-ja; and (4) obtaining advance information regarding the investigation into the overseas gambling scandal and instigating the destruction of evidence—and sought a 10-year prison sentence for these four charges.

3. In its ruling, the court determined that both “the 100 million won given to former lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong” and “the gifts given to Ms. Kim Keon-hee” were approved by President Han

On January 29, 2026, Presiding Judge Woo In-seong, in the first-instance verdict for defendant Yoon Young-ho, determined that the 100 million won given to former lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong originated from President Han Hak-ja’s private room. The court also ruled that the Chanel bag and Graff necklace presented to Ms. Kim Keon-hee were provided with President Han’s approval.

▶ Chosun Ilbo (2026-01-29）

https://www.chosun.com/national/court_law/2026/01/29/YDD7A4N7G5DZLAALOZDMQKRXYI/?utm_source=naver&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=naver-news

[단독] “한학자, ‘국모의 품격’ 거론하며 김건희 목걸이 선물 지시“

This first-instance verdict was upheld on appeal, and on July 9, 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, making the verdict final.

▶ Café post

Supreme Court dismisses Yoon’s appeal — UC “Special Statement” (2026-07-09)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/cRwZ/41

Supreme Court dismisses Yoon’s appeal — UC “Special Statement” (2026-07-09)

In other words, regarding the violation of the Political Funds Act involving the provision of 100 million won to former lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, as well as the violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act in connection with the gifts of a Chanel bag and a Graff necklace to Ms. Kim Keon-hee, it is considered unlikely that Presiding Judge Woo In-seong will overturn the previous judicial rulings.

At the final hearing on July 10, 2026, Jeong Won-ju asserted, “There is no fact that President Han instructed or authorized the gifting of a bag or necklace to Ms. Kim Keon-hee, and I was completely unaware of the political donations to the party.”

Furthermore, she stated, “Even I, who have served President Han the longest and assisted her most closely, knew nothing about this and have never seen or heard anything regarding it, so I can say this with confidence here today.”

However, this claim contradicts her previous explanation, which she has repeatedly stated throughout the trial: “I was only responsible for menial tasks such as serving tea and knew nothing about the church’s important matters.”

4. Facts supporting embezzlement, such as the purchase of precious metals at Shilla Jewelry

During the trial, concrete evidence revealed that after Jeong Won-ju purchased precious metals at Shilla Jewelry, she instructed the World Headquarters to pay the amount in cash.

The [Unification Church Anti-Corruption Monitoring Committee] also received a whistleblower report alleging that Jeong Won-ju had instructed the World Headquarters to pay in cash for the precious metals she purchased at Shilla Jewelry, and posted the details on its Café.

Furthermore, evidence emerged corroborating that she misappropriated funds from the World Headquarters, such as by submitting invoices to the World Headquarters for Chanel bags purchased with gift certificates or cash and receiving reimbursement.

▶ Café post

Whistleblower report by an outraged believer over Jeong Won-ju’s lies and hypocrisy—“purchase of a 24 million won Chanel bag,” “bank transfer to Jeong Won-ju” (2026-05-02)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/as2X/755

정원주의 거짓(위증)과 위선에 "분노한 식구의 제보" - “2,400만원의 샤넬백 구입”, “정산 받은

▶ Café post

Whistleblowing Regarding Jeong Won-ju ② — Disclosure of "Court Testimony" and Documents Instructing Prepayment to "Shilla Boseok (Shilla Jewelry)" / Tax Evasion and Embezzlement (2026-05-03)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/cRwZ/8

Whistleblowing Regarding Jeong Won-ju ② (2026-05-03)

▶ Café post

The 23rd Public Trial of President Han — Grounds for Claims That Jeong Won-ju’s Testimony "I am not involved in the Unification Church Personnel Matters" Is "False (Perjury)" (2026-05-04)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/cRwZ/9

The 23rd Public Trial of President Han（2026-05-04）

▶ Café post

Joint Investigation Headquarters Conducts Search and Seizure at Cheon Jeong Gung for Two Consecutive Days – Jeong Won-ju, “Purchased Chanel Bag with Cash” / “Settlement by the World Headquarters” Constitutes Clear Breach of Trust and Embezzlement (2026-05-08)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/cRwZ/10

“Search and Seizure at Cheon Jeong Gung (2026-05-06)

▶ Café post

"Peace Observatory" Questions on Chanel Bag Receipts Posted (2026-05-15)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/cRwZ/23

"Peace Observatory" Questions on Chanel Bag Receipts Posted (2026-05-15)

For the reasons outlined above, the Special Prosecutor sought a severe sentence of 10 years in prison for Jeong Won-ju.

Given the role and responsibility of Jeong Won-ju as established in the verdict against defendant Yoon Young-ho, it is highly likely that the court will hand down a severe sentence.

2026-08-01

Choi Jong-keun

[Unification Church Anti-Corruption Monitoring Committee]

*As this document was generated by AI, it may contain typos or mistranslations.