The preliminary examination of the arrest warrant related to Jeon Seong-bae's 'Unification Church solicitation suspicion' concluded in 9 minutes on the 21st. Jeon did not attend the arrest examination that day. The result of the examination is expected to be announced as early as the same day.
Director General Nam Se-jin of the Seoul Central District Court held a preliminary examination of the arrest warrant for Jeon at 10:30 a.m. that day, who faces charges of solicitation of bribes under the Specific Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act and violation of the Political Fund Act.
Jeon gave up participating in the examination and did not attend the hearing that day. Special prosecutor Kim Keon-hee noted that the previous night (20th), Jeon Seong-bae conveyed his intention to give up the preliminary examination of the arrest warrant through his lawyer.
Jeon is reported to have moved to the Seoul Detention Center immediately after the examination ended. He will then wait for the examination results in the detainee waiting room within the detention center. The results are expected to be announced as early as that afternoon.
Earlier, the special prosecutor requested an arrest warrant for Jeon on the 19th related to the Unification Church solicitation suspicion for charges including solicitation of bribes.
Jeon is accused of receiving luxury bags and necklaces from an executive of the Unification Church by promising to resolve Unification Church issues using his connection with Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Jeon is accused of receiving a luxury brand Graff necklace worth around 60 million won and two Chanel bags worth around 10 million won each from Yoon Young-ho, the former head of the Unification Church, between April and July 2022, claiming they were gifts from Kim. The special prosecutor believes that the Unification Church provided these items to Jeon in exchange for resolving various issues, including supporting the development of the Mekong River project in Cambodia, acquiring YTN, attracting the United Nations Office in Korea, and invitations to the presidential inauguration.
Jeon is also accused of receiving money under the pretext of prayer fees from political figures before the June 1, 2022, local elections and passing on requests related to nominations to key political figures, including Kim. The special prosecutor conducted a search of Jeon's temple and related persons on the 15th of last month.