Special Prosecutor's Team Conducts Raids in Kim Geon-hee Investigation

On July 15, 2025, the special prosecutor's team investigating allegations related to Kim Geon-hee (김건희) conducted searches at over ten locations, including the residence and temple of Jeon Seong-bae (전성배), known as 'Geonjin Beopsa,' in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul, and a hideout in Yangjae-dong. This marks the first time the special prosecutor's team has initiated a forced investigation into allegations concerning Jeon. The search warrant identifies Jeon as a suspect under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes for bribery-related charges.

Investigators entered Jeon's residence and temple, as well as his lawyer's office, reportedly seizing two mobile phones belonging to Jeon and two others belonging to his brother-in-law, known as Kim (김). They also searched lesser-known areas, including the basement of the temple building. The investigation extends to Ilgwangsa Temple in Chungju, which is affiliated with Jeon's sect, and includes individuals such as Park Chang-wook (박창욱), a Gyeongbuk provincial council member, and Park Hyun-guk (박현국), the mayor of Bonghwa, who allegedly sought nominations from Jeon during the 2022 local elections.

The special prosecutor's team is particularly focused on Jeon's involvement with key figures in a major financial group, including Oh Eul-seop (오을섭), head of the 'Network Headquarters' within the Yoon Seok-yeol (윤석열) presidential campaign, and Kim Hyung-jun (김형준), a former consul in Osaka. Notably, Kim Geon-hee was not included in the search targets on this occasion.

The primary aim of the raids was to locate luxury items, including a 60 million won (approximately $50,000) Graff necklace and two Chanel bags worth 20 million won (around $16,500), which Jeon allegedly received from Yoon Mo (윤모), a former head of the Unification Church's global mission headquarters, after the Yoon administration took office. Investigations revealed that these gifts were intended for Kim Geon-hee.

Between April and July 2022, Jeon reportedly received the Graff necklace and the two Chanel bags, with the bags later exchanged by Yoo Kyung-ok (유경옥), a close aide to Kim Geon-hee, for a pair of shoes and three bags, with an additional payment of 3 million won (about $2,500). The extra payment was made by the wife of Jo Mo (조모), the representative of 21 Grams, who managed the interior renovations of former President Yoon's residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul. The exchanged shoes were reportedly a size 250mm, similar to Kim Geon-hee's foot size. However, the investigation has yet to confirm whether these items were actually delivered to Kim Geon-hee, and the physical items remain unaccounted for.

The special prosecutor's team has identified the 'Network Headquarters' within the Yoon Seok-yeol campaign as a potential hub for soliciting appointments and favors in the financial sector, the presidential office, and public enterprises. The headquarters faced controversy in January 2022 when it was revealed that Jeon was serving as an advisor to a shaman, leading the People Power Party to disband the unit, citing unnecessary and malicious misunderstandings.

Jeon was previously indicted in January for allegedly receiving over 100 million won (approximately $83,000) in bribes from a candidate for the mayor of Yeongcheon during the 2018 local elections. The special prosecutor's team has gathered evidence, including text messages from Jeon to Kim Geon-hee, requesting nominations for four to five candidates for the Gyeongbuk provincial council.

The investigation is also looking into the funding sources for the 'Network Headquarters,' suspected of operating as an illegal election campaign. Jeon is believed to have overseen operations, with key aides Oh Eul-seop and Kim Hyung-jun responsible for practical matters such as talent recruitment.

Additionally, the special prosecutor's team has issued an arrest warrant for Kim (김), a close associate of Kim Geon-hee, who allegedly received preferential investments totaling 18.4 billion won (around $15 million) for IMS Mobility, a company he was involved with. Kim has been out of the country since April, having traveled to Vietnam. If the arrest warrant is approved, the team plans to invalidate his passport. Investigations are also set to extend to 28 companies that sponsored Kim Geon-hee's exhibition at Kobana Contents in 2019.

In relation to the allegations of preferential treatment regarding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway route change, five executives from a consulting firm have been summoned for questioning. The special prosecutor's team is also set to hold hearings on the arrest warrants for four current and former executives of Samboo Construction, including former chairman Cho Seong-ok (조성옥), related to stock manipulation allegations on the 17th.