Geomancer Jeon: "Kim Gunhee Called to Say She 'Received the Chanel Bag and Necklace Well'"

'Unification Church Bribery Allegations' Trial of Geomancer Jeon Seongbae
"Initially Hesitant to Accept, But Later Received Them Easily"

Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, testified in court that after delivering a Chanel bag and other valuables he had received from the Unification Church to First Lady Kim Gunhee, he received a phone call from her saying she had "received them well."

Jeon Seongbae, a geomancer accused of acting as a channel for various solicitations to Kim Gunhee, is entering the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the Minjungki Special Prosecutor's Office is located on August 18, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongju

The 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jinkwan) held the second trial on the 28th for Jeon, who has been indicted and detained on charges of aggravated bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violation of the Political Funds Act.

Unlike his previous testimony during the investigation by the Minjungki Special Prosecutor's Office, which is probing suspicions related to Kim Gunhee, Jeon changed his statement once the trial began. During the special prosecutor's investigation, Jeon had stated that he received valuables from the Unification Church but lost them and was unable to deliver them to Kim.

When the court asked why he had changed his testimony, Jeon replied, "During the prosecution's investigation, I wanted to evade responsibility regarding the delivery process, but in court, I thought it was right to tell the truth and accept punishment." He added, "Yoo Kyungok (former presidential secretary) was the intermediary who was supposed to deliver the items to Kim, so I said, 'I delivered them to Yoo Kyungok.'"

When the court asked, "You told former secretary Yoo to deliver the items to Kim. Did you ever speak directly with Kim?" Jeon answered, "Kim confirmed that she received the items. She said she had received them well."

He continued, "At first, Kim was reluctant to accept them, but since I delivered the items on three separate occasions, it seemed she accepted them more easily later on. I think she was hesitant at first." He also explained that he spoke with Kim every time he delivered the items.

Jeon stated that last year, he received the valuables back from Kim. He said, "She (Kim) said she would return them," and claimed, "I think she decided to return them because the items could cause trouble or an incident."

Jeon was indicted and detained on charges of receiving a Chanel bag and an expensive necklace from former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yoon Youngho between April and July 2022, in exchange for soliciting support for the church, and delivering them to Kim.