1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson explores the alleged connections between the Unification Church and the Yoon Seok-yeol administration in South Korea. It examines the role of a businessman named Kim, who is believed to have close ties to Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, and the Unification Church.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 통일교 | Tongilgyo | Unification Church | The Unification Church is believed to have connections to the Yoon administration. |
| 락천 | Nakcheon | A pseudonym | His pseudonym is known as ‘Nakcheon’. |
| 특검팀 | Teukgeomteam | Special investigation team | The special investigation team led by Prosecutor Min Jeong-gi is examining the connections between the Yoon administration and the Unification Church. |
| 접점 | Jeobjeom | Point of contact | The investigation is looking into the point of contact between the Yoon administration and the Unification Church. |
| 최측근 | Choeceukgeun | Closest confidant | Kim, a businessman, is believed to be a closest confidant of Kim Keon-hee’s family. |
| 수첩 | Sujeob | Notebook | The investigation team has obtained records from a notebook and calendar that are believed to have been used by Kim for a long time. |
| 원정 도박 | Wonjeonggobak | Overseas gambling | The leaders of the Unification Church are accused of engaging in overseas gambling with the church’s funds in Las Vegas casinos between 2008 and 2011. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
윤석열 정부와 통일교 간의 연결고리로 알려진 사업가 김모(86)씨의 행적이 주목받고 있다. 김씨는 윤석열 대통령의 부인 김건희씨 일가와 매우 가깝게 지내온 것으로 전해진다.
The actions of businessman Kim (86), who is known as a link between the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the Unification Church, are attracting attention. Kim is said to have been very close to the family of Yoon Seok-yeol’s wife, Kim Keon-hee.
김씨의 2019년 수첩에는 ‘통일교⇒윤석열’ 등의 메모가 적혀있는 것으로 알려졌다. 이를 통해 윤 전 대통령 재임 당시에도 김씨와 통일교 간의 소통이 계속되었음을 알 수 있다.
It is known that Kim’s 2019 notebook contained notes such as ‘Unification Church ⇒ Yoon Seok-yeol’, indicating that communication between Kim and the Unification Church continued even during Yoon’s presidency.
통일교 한학자 총재 등은 2008년부터 2011년까지 미국 라스베이거스 카지노에서 통일교 교단 자금으로 원정 도박을 했다는 의혹을 받고 있다. 이는 통일교와 윤 전 대통령 간의 관계를 더욱 복잡하게 만드는 요소로 작용할 것으로 보인다.
The leaders of the Unification Church, including the chairman Han Hak-ja, are accused of engaging in overseas gambling in Las Vegas casinos using the church’s funds from 2008 to 2011. This is likely to further complicate the relationship between the Unification Church and the former President Yoon.
김건희씨 일가와 가까운 김씨가 오랜 기간 사용해온 것으로 추정되는 수첩과 달력 등의 기록도 일부 확보된 것으로 알려졌다. 이를 통해 김씨와 통일교, 그리고 윤 전 대통령 간의 관계가 더욱 구체적으로 드러날 것으로 기대된다.
It is also known that the investigation team has obtained records, such as notebooks and calendars, that are believed to have been used by Kim for a long time and are closely related to Kim Keon-hee’s family. This is expected to further reveal the relationship between Kim, the Unification Church, and the former President Yoon.
특검팀은 김씨의 행적을 면밀히 살펴보며 윤 전 대통령과 통일교 간의 접점을 찾아내고 있다. 이번 사건을 통해 윤 정권과 통일교의 연결고리가 드러날지 주목되고 있다.
The special investigation team is closely examining Kim’s activities to find the point of contact between the former President Yoon and the Unification Church. This case is attracting attention as it may reveal the connection between the Yoon administration and the Unification Church.
통일교와 윤 전 대통령의 관계에 대한 의혹이 계속해서 제기되고 있는 가운데, 이번 사건을 통해 그 실체가 더욱 명확해질 것으로 예상된다.
Amid ongoing allegations about the relationship between the Unification Church and the former President Yoon, this case is expected to further clarify the reality of their connection.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- Who is the businessman Kim, and what is his relationship with the Yoon administration and the Unification Church?
- What evidence has the special investigation team found regarding the connections between the Yoon administration and the Unification Church?
- What allegations have been made against the leaders of the Unification Church regarding overseas gambling?
- How is the investigation into Kim’s activities expected to further reveal the relationship between the Yoon administration and the Unification Church?
- Why is this case attracting significant attention in South Korea?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The Unification Church, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is a controversial religious movement founded by Sun Myung Moon in South Korea. The church has been accused of maintaining close ties with various political figures and administrations in South Korea over the years, which has led to ongoing debates about the separation of church and state. The allegations surrounding the Yoon administration’s connections to the Unification Church are the latest in a long history of such controversies in the country.