Evidence Unveils Private Profit Schemes of Unification Church No. 2 in Cambodia

Evidence supporting the allegations of "seeking private interest" — as specified in Special Counsel Min Joong-ki's indictment of Yun Young-ho, former Director-General of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU, commonly known as the Unification Church) — has been confirmed through multiple official Cambodian documents, including Royal Decrees obtained by Dunia.

With Yun’s appellate sentencing scheduled for April 27, concrete physical evidence has surfaced showing that he exploited his religious status to push for massive overseas real estate developments and establish a private investment firm.

Previously, during the appellate closing argument on April 3 — regarding charges of Political Fund Act violations and occupational embezzlement — the Special Counsel requested a four-year prison sentence. The prosecution stated:

"The defendant led these crimes from his position as the Director-General of the FFWPU, shaking public trust in the fairness of public duties. The specific nature of his pursuit of private interest must be actively reflected in the sentencing."

These claims are clearly backed by Royal Decrees and corporate registration records documenting Yun’s activities in Cambodia.

Deep Trust with PM Hun Sen: Receiving Medals via Royal Decree

According to internal FFWPU documents titled the "True Mother Special Report" (TM Report) dated October 23 and 27, 2021, Yun Young-ho held a private meeting with then-Prime Minister Hun Sen during a state visit to Cambodia, which lasted an hour exceeding the scheduled time. The TM Report evaluated this as a major diplomatic achievement, noting the "signing of a historic MOU pledge." The document further claimed he successfully persuaded PM Hun Sen to create a breakthrough for the "South-North Peace Summit."

This is corroborated by official Cambodian Royal documents. According to a Royal Decree dated October 12, 2021, King Norodom Sihamoni awarded Yun Young-ho the "Grand Officer of the Royal Order of Sahametrei (Moha Sena)" at the request of then-PM Hun Sen.

This medal is known as the highest-authority friendship award given to foreigners who have contributed to Cambodia’s national development or humanitarian activities. In South Korea, previous recipients include medical volunteers and former Ambassador to Cambodia Park Jung-wook.

The USD 506million "Mekong Peace Park" Project and SPC Plans

Building on the trust of the Cambodian government, Yun envisioned astronomical infrastructure and real estate development projects in the country.

According to a TM Report dated December 18, 2021, the "Mekong Peace Park" project was a massive undertaking with an initial budget of approximately 750 billion KRW (in total approximately USD 506 million, 230 billion KRW for land value and 520 billion KRW for construction).

The document revealed plans to develop profitable real estate, including hotels, convention centers, and apartments. Furthermore, the October 23 report included resolutions to enter resort businesses and projects related to Ilhwa, a subsidiary of the FFWPU.

The reality of this business became more detailed during the "Unification Church Trial." In a hearing on January 13, an internal Sunwon Construction report dated May 30, 2025, was disclosed as evidence. This report identified the Mekong Peace Park project as the "Golden Island" development, promoted as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) led by the Asia Vision Institute (AVI) of Cambodia.

The proposed investment structure listed the Cambodian government, AVI, the FFWPU, and the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (KIND) as development entities. Sunwon Construction and major Korean construction firms were to be the builders, with financing sourced from domestic and international investors.

Starting in 2022, Yun mobilized Sunwon Construction to conduct geological surveys and lead discussions with Cambodian government agencies (such as the NPWT). He personally designed a massive investment structure involving KIND and financial investors. By early 2023, before the transition of power to Hun Manet, Sunwon Construction and architectural firms reportedly began full-scale field surveys.

To execute this project and bypass overseas investment regulations, Yun meticulously pursued the establishment of a Special Purpose Company (SPC). According to a TM Report dated January 18, 2023, Yun’s side coordinated with the Cambodian law firm Sok Siphana & Associates and the Washington D.C.-based firm Miller & Chevalier to register the SPC.

Sok Siphana, who runs the namesake law firm, is a Cambodian lawyer currently serving as an advisor to PM Hun Manet. He was also active through the Asia Vision Institute (AVI), a think tank mentioned 27 times in the TM Reports. This organization co-hosted "Peace Summits" with the FFWPU and is suspected of acting as a bridge between the Cambodian government and the church.

"Cambodian Nationality" and Private Corporate Records

A striking detail is that Yun Young-ho moved beyond being a representative of a religious group by acquiring Cambodian citizenship and launching private business ventures.

A Royal Decree obtained by Dunia dated July 2022 contains legal measures supporting Yun’s naturalization. At the request of then-PM Hun Sen, the King approved Yun's acquisition of Cambodian nationality.

According to official corporate records filed with the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce on August 16, 2024, Yun established a company in Phnom Penh called "SH DOLPHIN INVESTMENT CO., LTD."

Yun Young-ho serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and his nationality on the registry is listed as "Cambodian" rather than South Korean.

The registered address for this company is the same as the office of the Asia Vision Institute. The fact that an SPC related to the Mekong Peace Park project — with Yun as the representative — was registered in Cambodia was also cross-verified in the ruling of Kim Geon-hee (associated case).

These records collectively demonstrate that Yun Young-ho used his influence with the Cambodian government to acquire citizenship and establish a private investment firm to launch large-scale business projects.

Dunia attempted to contact Yun Young-ho’s side to confirm these details, but no response was received.

Reporting Seulki Lee - skidolma@thedunia.org