Special Prosecutor Investigates Allegations of Shaman's Involvement in Presidential Office Relocation

On July 11, it was confirmed that Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki is investigating allegations regarding the involvement of a shaman named Cheongong in the relocation of the Presidential Office. The civic group Judicial Justice Restoration Citizen Action (사법정의바로세우기시민행동) initially reported these claims, stating that the case was transferred to the special prosecutor's office on June 26 after being filed with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials.

The core of the allegations is that Cheongong visited the Army Chief of Staff's residence and the Army's Seoul office with Kim Yong-hyun, the then-head of the Presidential Security Service, during the selection process for former President Yoon's residence in April 2022. Democratic Party lawmaker Bae Seung-chan raised these concerns in his February 2023 book titled "Power and Security - Defense Budget Issues and Cheongong Allegations". At the time, Bae was serving as the spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense during the office relocation.

In response to these allegations, the Presidential Office filed defamation charges against Bae and journalists who reported on the issue. Following a complaint from the civic group, a police investigation was initiated, which included a search of the Ministry of National Defense and an analysis of CCTV footage from the Army Chief of Staff's residence. The police concluded that the claims of Cheongong's involvement in the relocation were unfounded.

Separately, the civic group has also reported former President Yoon and his wife, along with Kim and Cheongong, to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission for alleged violations of public secrecy and military confidentiality laws, which has now been referred to the special prosecutor's team.