Yoon on Vacation, No Break to Seek Approval Rating Rebound... Allegations Flood Involving 'Shaman and Official Residence Construction'

Rumors of Shaman Beopsa Jeon Mo's Involvement in Interests
Allegations Arise Over Exclusive Contract with Firms Linked to Mrs. Kim's Official Residence Construction

President Yoon Suk-yeol is entering the credential presentation ceremony for new ambassadors to Korea held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th of last month. / Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Amid President Yoon Suk-yeol's vacation, the controversy is escalating as suspicions arise ranging from the involvement of shaman Jeon Mo, who triggered the so-called 'shamanism controversy,' in vested interests to the alleged connection between the company handling the presidential residence construction and First Lady Kim Keon-hee. With the approval rating for government performance plummeting to the 20% range, President Yoon, who had taken a brief pause, now faces a situation where he must manage the fallout without even a moment to seek a rebound.

On the 2nd, the Presidential Office announced that it has begun verifying the truth regarding rumors that Jeon impersonated a close acquaintance of President Yoon and his wife to intervene in vested interests. The previous day, within and outside political circles, a leaflet (jirasi) circulated containing claims that Jeon was acting as if he could influence tax investigations or personnel matters by leveraging his supposed closeness to the presidential couple.

Jeon is known as the 'Geonjin Beopsa' (a shamanic title) and is the figure who amplified the so-called shamanism controversy surrounding President Yoon. During the last presidential election, it was revealed that Jeon was active in the Network Headquarters under the People Power Party's election campaign headquarters, raising suspicions that he exerted influence over the entire election campaign. At that time, President Yoon strongly denied the allegations, and the People Power Party disbanded the Network Headquarters.

Regarding the recent rumors about Jeon, a Presidential Office official stated, "We continue to take preventive measures and actions against any acts of flaunting closeness to the Presidential Office to intervene in vested interests," adding, "Since these are circulating as rumors, we will investigate and take action if deemed necessary."

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister's residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the new presidential residence construction is underway. / Yonhap News

Suspicions have also been raised that a company that sponsored Kobana Contents, operated by First Lady Kim Keon-hee, was responsible for part of the construction of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. On the 2nd, OhmyNews reported that Company A, which sponsored exhibitions hosted by Kobana Contents, was awarded a contract worth 1.2 billion KRW for the residence construction through a private contract. Company A was listed as a sponsor for the 2016 'Le Corbusier Exhibition' and the 2018 'Alberto Giacometti Special Exhibition.' There is skepticism that Company A won the residence construction contract due to past connections with the First Lady.

In June, the Presidential Office also faced controversy over awarding part of the remodeling work of the Yongsan Presidential Office building to a newly established small company through a private contract. At that time, the Presidential Office explained that "due to the short construction period and urgent circumstances, they had no choice but to quickly find and enter into a private contract."

Regarding the controversy over the residence construction, a Presidential Office official explained, "The selection of companies and progress are security tasks carried out under the thorough verification and supervision of the Security Office. Please understand that we cannot share specific details."

In response to reports that Company A sponsored Kobana Contents, the official clarified, "At the time of the exhibition, they were the company responsible for interior construction and received payment for that work. Their name was listed as a sponsor as a token of appreciation, not because they actually sponsored the exhibition." They emphasized, "That company did not sponsor Kobana Contents at all. Furthermore, for security reasons, we cannot disclose which companies participated in the residence construction. These two matters are separate."

Meanwhile, additional allegations have been raised that false information was recorded during the company selection process for the residence construction. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which commissioned the residence construction, posted the bid announcement on the national comprehensive electronic procurement system, Nara Market, on May 25th, listing the project name as '00 Housing Interior Construction' and the construction location as 'Sejong Special Self-Governing City' instead of Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The Presidential Office explained this as a 'simple mistake.'