Chanel Bag Purchase Investigation: Testimonies Shift Amid Ongoing Inquiry

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office, led by Chief Prosecutor Park Geon-wook, is set to re-interrogate key figures involved in the alleged delivery of two Chanel bags worth around 10 million KRW each. This includes Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman known as 'Geonjin Beopsa,' and Yoo Kyung-ok, a close aide to Kim Geon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The investigation also targets Yoon Mo, a former head of the Unification Church, who is suspected of providing luxury bags to Kim's associates in exchange for securing a public development project in Cambodia under the Yoon administration.

Initially, Jeon denied any involvement in delivering the bags during his first questioning on April 20. However, following a search of Chanel Korea and Yoo's residence, prosecutors uncovered evidence including bag models, serial numbers, and purchase records, which indicated that Yoo had exchanged the bags for different products at an additional cost. In a subsequent interrogation on May 17, Jeon altered his statement, claiming he had asked Yoo to exchange the bags as gifts for others, suggesting that both he and Yoo had exchanged the bags without Kim's knowledge.

Prosecutors suspect that Jeon and Yoo are attempting to distance Kim from any allegations of bribery by continuously changing their testimonies. They are considering securing the two individuals' custody due to concerns about potential evidence tampering.

Jeon previously stated that he lost a Chanel bag he received from Yoon, but later claimed he had personally asked Yoo to exchange it for another product, which he lost afterward. The Chanel bags received by Yoo in April and July 2022 are valued between 10 million and 14 million KRW, with popular models including the Boy Chanel Flap Bag (10.21 million KRW) and the Classic Small Flap Bag (14.97 million KRW).

The investigation has also revealed potential connections between Yoon and high-priced health products delivered to Kim through Jeon. Text messages obtained by prosecutors indicate that Yoon had communicated with Jeon about a health product, suggesting that Kim had received it and experienced health improvements. Jeon, however, denied the authenticity of these messages, claiming Yoon had no direct contact with Kim.

As the investigation unfolds, prosecutors are focusing on the implications of the luxury exchanges, which could lead to charges of bribery if linked to business favors. The Unification Church has publicly distanced itself from Yoon's actions, stating they were personal and not representative of the organization. The inquiry continues to expand, with searches conducted at various locations, including the residences of the former president and his wife.