Jeon Seong-bae, a fortune-teller, did not attend the first special prosecution investigation scheduled for the 22nd after his arrest. Kim Keon-hee's special prosecution noted that they plan to summon him again at 10 a.m. on the 25th.
The special prosecution stated in a media briefing that "Jeon submitted a notice of absence due to health issues," adding, "He is expected to be summoned at 10 a.m. next Monday (25th)."
Jeon is accused of receiving luxury bags and necklaces from a senior member of the Unification Church, claiming he would resolve issues related to the Unification Church using his connection with Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Jeon allegedly received a luxury brand Graff necklace worth about 60 million won and two Chanel bags worth around 10 million won from Yoon Young-ho, the former global head of the Unification Church, as gifts for Kim Keon-hee between April and July 2022. The special prosecution believes that the Unification Church provided these items to Jeon as bribes in exchange for various favors, including support for the development project along the Mekong River in Cambodia, the acquisition of YTN by the Unification Church, and the invitation to the presidential inauguration ceremony.
In addition, Jeon is also under suspicion of receiving money under the pretext of prayer fees from political figures ahead of the June 1, 2022, local elections and passing on requests for nominations to key figures in the political arena, including Kim Keon-hee. The special prosecution conducted a search and seizure at Jeon's religious facility and other related locations on the 15th of last month.
Meanwhile, Nam Se-jin, the presiding judge of the Seoul Central District Court, held a substantive examination of the warrant for Jeon, who is accused of violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and the Political Funds Act, at 10:30 a.m. the previous day and issued an arrest warrant. Jeon waived his participation in the warrant examination and did not attend.