The prosecution has filed to amend the indictment against Jeon Seongbae, a 64-year-old geomancer implicated in solicitation and gift allegations involving former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife, by adding a fraud charge.
Jeon Seongbae, a geomancer accused of being a channel for various solicitations to Kim Gunhee, is entering the West building of the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the special prosecutor Min Jungki's office is located on August 18, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongju
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office announced on September 4 that it had requested an amendment to the indictment for Jeon, who was indicted on July 31 on charges of violating the Political Funds Act, by adding a preliminary charge of fraud.
A preliminary amendment to the indictment is a procedure in which the prosecutor adds or changes criminal facts or applicable laws as a secondary measure during the trial phase, in case the main charges are not upheld. This is done as long as it does not compromise the identity of the original charges.
Jeon has been indicted on charges of receiving approximately 100 million won from Jeong Jaesik, a 62-year-old preliminary candidate for mayor of Yeongcheon from the Liberty Korea Party, around January 2018, ahead of the 7th nationwide local elections, under the pretense of a prayer fee in exchange for securing the party nomination for mayor of Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province.
Jeong’s side argued, "Jeon deceived us by claiming he would deliver the money to Yoon Hanhong, a member of the People Power Party, and pocketed the funds," asserting that he was actually the victim of fraud. The prosecution has been reviewing an amendment to the indictment to add the charge that "Jeon defrauded Jeong by falsely claiming he would deliver political funds to Assemblyman Yoon."
The next hearing for Jeon is scheduled for the 22nd.
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