First Summons and Questioning After First Lady Kim's Indictment and Detention
The Minjungki Special Prosecutor's Office, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Gunhee, has summoned Jeon Seongbae, also known as Geonjin Beopsa, who is currently in detention, for further questioning.
At around 2 p.m. on August 31, Jeon arrived at the Special Prosecutor's Office located in the West building of KT Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu, Seoul, transported by a Ministry of Justice vehicle. This marks his third appearance since being detained on August 21, and it is the first time he has been summoned for questioning since Kim Gunhee was indicted and detained on August 29.
Jeon Seongbae, a geomancer identified as the channel through which various solicitations were conveyed to Kim Gunhee, is entering the West building of KT Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the Minjungki Special Prosecutor's Office is located on August 18, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongju
Jeon is accused of receiving a diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, allegedly intended as gifts for Kim Gunhee, as well as requests regarding church-related issues from Yoon, the global head of the Unification Church (who has also been indicted and detained), between April and August 2022, and then conveying these items and requests to Kim Gunhee. He faces charges of receiving bribes for influence peddling under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. Additionally, ahead of the June 2022 local elections, Jeon allegedly received over 100 million won from several influential figures as so-called "prayer fees" and passed on requests related to party nominations to "Yoonhaekgwan" (key associates of Yoon Sukyeol), which constitutes a violation of the Political Funds Act.
The investigation also covers suspicions that Jeon and Yoon attempted to have Unification Church members join the People Power Party as party members in order to support Assemblyman Kwon Seongdong's bid for party leader ahead of the March 2023 party convention.
Jeon was summoned and questioned on August 18 before his detention, and again on August 25 and 27 after being detained. He reportedly maintains that while he received gifts and requests from Yoon for Kim Gunhee, he did not actually deliver them to her. Regarding the money received from those seeking to run in the June 2022 local elections, Jeon claims it was solely for prayer fees. He also asserts that although he communicated with "Yoonhaekgwan," it was a matter of recommendation, not personnel solicitation.
Furthermore, Jeon is said to have exchanged text messages with Yoon about encouraging Unification Church members to join the People Power Party, but claims that since Assemblyman Kwon ultimately did not run for party leader, there was no illegality involved. However, the Special Prosecutor's Office, based on various pieces of evidence and witness statements, believes that the gifts from Yoon were actually delivered to Kim Gunhee through Jeon, and has specified the charge of conspiracy with Jeon in Kim Gunhee's indictment.
Meanwhile, with Jeon's initial 10-day detention period set to expire soon, the Special Prosecutor's Office recently applied for and received court approval to extend his detention. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, a judge may grant a one-time extension of up to 10 days if the prosecutor's request for continued investigation is deemed reasonable.
The Special Prosecutor's Office is expected to bring Jeon to trial before the extended detention period expires on September 9.
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