Special Prosecutor's Investigation into Kim Geon-hee's Allegations Expands

On July 15, the special prosecutor's team led by Min Jung-ki announced that they are conducting a search and seizure operation at the temple of Jeon Seong-bae, known as 'Geonjin Beopsa,' located in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul. This marks the first time the special prosecutor has initiated a forced investigation related to allegations against Jeon since the inquiry began.

The central issue surrounding Jeon involves claims that the Unification Church solicited his assistance in resolving certain matters, allegedly providing him with luxury gifts including a 60 million won diamond necklace from the British brand Graff, two Chanel bags, and Cheonsusam concentrated tea. The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, which initially investigated the case, reportedly found evidence suggesting that a former administrative officer close to Kim Geon-hee exchanged one pair of shoes and three bags for these gifts. Additionally, it was noted that the spouse of Kim Mo, the representative of 21 Grams, the company responsible for the presidential residence's interior renovations, was present during this exchange, potentially adding to the evidence of illicit payments.

However, it has been reported that the prosecution has not yet confirmed whether these gifts were actually delivered to Kim Geon-hee. The special prosecutor's team aims to clarify the whereabouts of these items through the ongoing search and seizure operations.