Returned Home at Dawn After 14-Hour Marathon Interrogation
Jeon Jae-su, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea suspected of receiving money from the Unification Church, is appearing on December 19 at the Special Investigation Team of the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. 2025.12.19 Photo by Kang Jinhyung
Former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jae-su, who is under suspicion of receiving money and valuables from the Unification Church, returned home in the early hours of December 20 after being questioned for more than 14 hours starting on the 19th. Throughout the investigation, Jeon strongly denied ever receiving any illegal money or valuables.
Jeon arrived at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu at around 9:53 a.m. the previous day and met with reporters after completing the investigation at around 12:20 a.m. on this day. He stated, "I can't go into details, but I responded to the investigation with sincerity." He added, "Once again, I want to make it absolutely and emphatically clear that I have never received any money or valuables from the Unification Church."
When asked, "Is it your position that there is no issue with the Unification Church purchasing 500 copies of your book?" and "Have you ever visited Cheonjeonggung Palace at all?" Jeon simply replied, "I'm sorry," before leaving the premises by car.
It is reported that during the investigation, Jeon continued to assert that he had not received any illegal money or valuables, denying the allegations. The police plan to analyze Jeon's statements and will consider whether to summon him again for further questioning.
Jeon is accused of receiving 20 million won in cash and a Bulgari watch worth about 10 million won from the Unification Church around 2018 (on charges of bribery). The police suspect that these items may have been intended as bribes related to the Unification Church's long-standing goal of promoting the Korea-Japan undersea tunnel project.
Earlier, on December 15, the police conducted searches at four locations: Jeon's residence in Busan, his ministerial office at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Sejong, his parliamentary office, and his constituency office in Busan. They are currently analyzing seized mobile phones, PC files, and congratulatory messages related to Unification Church events to determine whether there is evidence that money or valuables were actually delivered.
This is the first time that the police special investigation team, which was launched on December 10, has summoned a politician as a suspect. With the team expanded by seven additional members, the police plan to soon intensify investigations into Lim Jong-sung of the Democratic Party of Korea and Kim Kyuhwan, former lawmaker of the United Future Party (now People Power Party).
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