Special counsel to indict shaman linked to ex-first lady next week

▲ This compilation image shows former first lady Kim Keon Hee (L) and Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman closely associated with her. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

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Special counsel to indict shaman linked to ex-first lady next week

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- A special counsel team plans to indict a shaman linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee next week on bribery and other charges.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team, which is investigating various criminal allegations involving the former first lady, plans to indict Jeon Seong-bae, better known as Geonjin, with physical detention next Monday, one day before his pretrial arrest expires.

Jeon, who has been under arrest since Aug. 21, faces charges of delivering a diamond necklace, two Chanel bags and other gifts from the Unification Church to the then first lady in 2022, along with the church's request for various policy favors from the administration of then President Yoon Suk Yeol.

He is also accused of receiving around 100 million won (US$71,800) in so-called prayer money from various political hopefuls ahead of the June 2022 local elections in exchange for requesting their nominations to Yoon's confidants.

Moreover, he is suspected of involvement in a campaign to recruit Church members as members of the then ruling People Power Party to back Rep. Kweon Seong-dong's bid as party leader in the March 2023 national convention.

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