Former Unification Church Leader Excommunicated Amid Scandal

On June 20, it was reported that 윤모씨, a former leader of the Unification Church (now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification), has been excommunicated for allegedly delivering luxury gifts, including Chanel bags, to Kim Geon-hee, the wife of South Korea's president, as part of a bribery scheme. The church held a disciplinary committee meeting at its headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, where both 윤씨 and his wife, 이모씨, were present. However, they sent a notice of non-attendance the day before, claiming the proceedings were unjust. The church interpreted their excommunication as a response to their involvement in the allegations surrounding the shamanistic figure, 전성배, who is accused of receiving illegal political funds.

Following the decision, 윤씨's representatives criticized the church, calling the excommunication a 'scapegoat for power preservation.' They argued that the church's actions contradicted its teachings of true love and forgiveness, stating that the decision was made without any judicial ruling. They plan to file for a suspension of the excommunication and pursue legal action, while also promising to provide evidence of misconduct by high-ranking church officials to law enforcement and the media.

The church had previously summoned 윤씨 and his wife to the disciplinary meeting, citing serious violations of their obligations as members. 윤씨 is accused of providing gifts worth approximately 60 million won, including a diamond necklace and two Chanel bags, to Kim Geon-hee between April and August 2022 in exchange for favors related to church matters. While the church has distanced itself from 윤씨's actions, he has claimed that he acted with the approval of a church leader. Meanwhile, prosecutors are expanding their investigation into the possibility of church-level collusion in the bribery case, including placing a travel ban on church leader 한학자.