Seoul: A Seoul court held a hearing Wednesday on Rep. Kweon Seong-dong’s request to review the validity of his arrest over allegations of receiving illegal political funds. The hearing began at the Seoul Central District Court to determine whether the arrest of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker last month was legal and should remain in place.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kweon, once seen as a close confidante of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, is accused of receiving 100 million won (US$71,100) in illegal political funds from a former Unification Church official in January 2022. In return, Kweon was allegedly asked to help gain favors for the church in the event of Yoon’s presidential election. Yoon went on to win the presidency in March that year. Kweon has disputed the allegations brought by special counsel Min Joong-ki, arguing they simply rely on testimonies made by some individuals.

Min’s team is expected to argue that Kweon’s arrest should remain in place, citing destruction of evidence and flight risks. Meanwhile, the court will also hold a hearing later in the day on Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja’s request to review the validity of her arrest over bribery allegations.

Han was placed under arrest last month over allegations of working with the former church official to hand Kweon 100 million won, as well as gifting former first lady Kim Keon Hee, Yoon’s wife, a luxury necklace and Chanel handbags through a shaman between April and July 2022, among other alleged offenses.