Kim Keonhee Appears as Witness... Refuses to Testify
Special Prosecutor: "Exploited Proximity to Power for Personal Gain"
Verdict Scheduled for February 11 Next Year
Jeon Seongbae, known as "Geomancer Jeon," who has been indicted on charges including receiving money and valuables along with solicitations to resolve issues related to the Unification Church, stated in his final statement, "I will reflect and reflect again. I am truly sorry." The Minjungki Special Prosecutor's Office requested a prison sentence of five years for Jeon.
Jeon Seongbae, a geomancer accused of being 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
On December 23, the 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jinkwan) held the final hearing for Jeon, who is accused of aggravated mediation bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violating the Political Funds Act.
The special prosecutor's team requested a three-year prison sentence for the aggravated mediation bribery charge and a two-year sentence for the violation of the Political Funds Act. They also requested the confiscation of items such as a Chanel bag and a diamond necklace, as well as the forfeiture of 280.78 million won.
The special prosecutor's team stated, "Jeon flaunted his connections with the presidential couple and high-ranking politicians, exploited his proximity to power, and pursued personal gain," adding, "During the course of the crime, some of Jeon's mediation efforts were actually realized, resulting in the abuse of state affairs becoming a reality."
Jeon's defense argued, "Jeon was merely a messenger and cannot be regarded as the principal in receiving the money and valuables," and "There was no shared intent with Mrs. Kim, so there is no basis for conspiracy."
In his final statement, Jeon said, "I sincerely reflect on the trouble I have caused due to my foolishness," adding, "I will continue to reflect and reflect again. I am truly sorry."
Mrs. Kim appeared as a witness at Jeon's trial that day but remained silent in response to questions from the special prosecutor's team.
Jeon was brought to trial in August on charges of conspiring with Mrs. Kim to receive solicitations for support of the Unification Church from Yoon Youngho, former head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, between April and July 2022, and accepting valuables such as a diamond necklace and a Chanel bag worth a total of about 80 million won. He is also accused of separately demanding 30 million won in exchange for offering the position of "advisor to the Unification Group" as a reward for mediation and solicitation, as well as receiving various solicitations from companies and accepting valuables worth up to 200 million won.
The verdict for Jeon is scheduled for February 11 next year at 2 p.m.
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