The special prosecutor's team investigating various allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Keon-hee is reportedly conducting a comprehensive investigation into key figures involved in the Unification Church-related lobbying allegations, with the summons of major individuals, including Unification Church President Hak Ja Han Moon, appearing imminent.
According to legal sources, the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor's Team (Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki) is focusing on allegations that the Unification Church attempted to lobby Ms. Kim for specific issues through Jeon Seong-bae, known as 'Geonjin-beopsa.' On July 7, Special Prosecutor Park Sang-jin stated to reporters asking about plans to summon Unification Church officials that "they must be summoned," signaling an acceleration of the investigation.
The core of these allegations is that the Unification Church attempted to solicit favors from Ms. Kim regarding major issues such as the Cambodia Mekong River development Official Development Assistance (ODA) project, the bid to host the UN 5th Secretariat in Korea, and the acquisition of YTN, by delivering expensive gifts. Previously, the Virtual Asset Crime Joint Investigation Division of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Park Geon-wook), which had investigated this case, confirmed that Geonjin-beopsa Jeon received a Graff diamond necklace worth 60 million won, two Chanel bags worth 10 million won, and Cheonsusam concentrated tea from Mr. Yoon, the former worldwide headquarters director of the Unification Church. Notably, the prosecution also discovered evidence that one of the two Chanel bags was exchanged twice with other bags and shoes by Mr. Yoo, a former administrative officer of the Presidential Office who was Ms. Kim's attendant.
Immediately after receiving the case from the prosecution, the special prosecutor's team placed a travel ban on key individuals, including Unification Church President Hak Ja Han Moon, former director Yoon, and former administrative officer Yoo. Their summons for questioning is expected soon.
Denial of Allegations Focuses on Proving 'Higher-Up' Directives
Geonjin-beopsa Jeon and former administrative officer Yoo, who are at the center of the allegations, reportedly denied any connection with Ms. Kim during the prosecutorial investigation. The Unification Church also completely denies the lobbying allegations, stating no involvement with Ms. Kim.
However, former director Yoon, who is accused of delivering the valuable items to Mr. Jeon, is reported to have testified during the prosecutorial investigation that the reason for the delivery was "at the direction of President Han Moon." This suggests the possibility that the delivery of the items occurred under the instruction or tacit approval of President Hak Ja Han Moon, lending weight to the expectation that the special prosecutor's team will summon President Han Moon for questioning.
The special prosecutor's team plans to intensively question Unification Church officials about the nature and circumstances of the gift delivery while concentrating investigative efforts on securing crucial evidence to prove whether the items for lobbying were indeed delivered to Ms. Kim. In particular, the evidence that former administrative officer Yoo exchanged the Chanel bag will be a significant clue in determining whether the valuable items were directly delivered to Ms. Kim.
This investigation is expected to be a crucial turning point in uncovering the truth behind the Unification Church lobbying allegations among the various suspicions surrounding First Lady Kim Keon-hee and in determining whether there was a power-related corruption. Public attention is focused on what conclusions the special prosecutor's team's intense investigation will reach.
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