Kim Gunhee Special Prosecutor Raids People Power Party Headquarters Over "Geonjin Monk Favor Solicitation Allegations"

The Minjungki Special Prosecutor's Team, which is investigating various allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Gunhee, has launched a search and seizure at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido in connection with the so-called "Geonjin Monk Favor Solicitation Allegations."

Exterior view of KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the special prosecutor's office is located. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

Starting in the morning of August 13, the special prosecutor's team dispatched investigators to the People Power Party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to execute a search and seizure warrant. In a notice to the media, the special prosecutor's team stated, "We are currently executing a search and seizure warrant at the People Power Party headquarters to request cooperation in submitting electronic data related to the favor solicitation allegations involving Geonjin Monk and others."

The favor solicitation allegations, referred to as the "Geonjin Monk Gate," center on suspicions that the Unification Church used Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Monk, to make illicit requests to First Lady Kim Gunhee.

Specifically, Jeon is suspected of receiving gifts such as a diamond necklace and Chanel bags from the Unification Church between April and August 2022, passing them on to the First Lady, and conveying the church's requests. According to the allegations, the Unification Church delivered two Graff diamond necklaces worth approximately 60 million won each and two Chanel bags worth about 10 million won each to the First Lady through Jeon, seeking business contracts in return.

The person who delivered the gifts and requests to Jeon was identified as Yoon, a former executive of the Unification Church. The special prosecutor believes that Yoon asked Jeon to solicit support for the church's Mekong River development project in Cambodia, the acquisition of YTN, the bid to host the United Nations Fifth Secretariat in Korea, and invitations to the presidential inauguration. Yoon was arrested on July 30.

When the special prosecutor's team requested an arrest warrant for the First Lady on August 7, it was reportedly noted that, during the 2022 presidential election, Yoon conveyed his intention to support candidate Yoon Sukyeol to Kwon Sungdong and other so-called "Yoon Core" (key aides to Yoon Sukyeol). During the investigation, Yoon also testified that, with approval from top Unification Church leadership including President Han Hakja, he delivered funds to Kwon and others starting in 2021.

After securing custody of the First Lady by obtaining an arrest warrant the previous day, the special prosecutor's team is also reportedly reviewing documents from the People Power Party Secretariat, as party members are suspected of being involved in the Myung Taegyun nomination interference case and the Geonjin Monk and Unification Church favor solicitation allegations.