Jeon Seong-bae, known as "Geonjin beopsa," who was indicted and detained on charges of receiving money and valuables worth hundreds of millions of won in return for saying he would handle various favors from the Unification Church and corporations by leveraging his ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Keon-hee, admitted at the first trial that he delivered a luxury bag and a necklace to Kim's side.
On the 14th, the 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jin-gwan) held the first trial date for Jeon, who was indicted and detained on charges including bribery for brokerage under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violations of the Political Funds Act.
Jeon's side said, "We acknowledge that in April and Jul. 2022 we received a Chanel bag, Cheonsusam concentrated tea, and a Graff necklace from former Unification Church world headquarters chief Yoon Young-ho and delivered them to then-presidential office secretary Yu Kyung-ok on behalf of Kim."
However, Jeon's side said, "Around 2024, we got back three bags and shoes that are presumed to have been exchange for two Chanel bags," adding, "Jeon merely briefly held the valuables that were to be ultimately delivered to Kim, so this cannot be said to meet the elements of the crime."
Jeon's side also admitted to the allegation that he received 30 million won from former Deputy Minister Yoon in Mar. 2022, saying, "It is true the money was received." However, they argued, "After receiving the money, we entered into a contract to provide ongoing, regular consulting to the Unification Church."
Jeon's side also acknowledged that during the 2022 local elections they helped with the nomination of North Gyeongsang Provincial Council member Park Chang-uk and, in return, received 100 million won in cash. However, they argued not guilty, saying, "Jeon does not fall under a person engaged in political activities, so he cannot be the subject of a Political Funds Act violation."
As Jeon's side agreed to most of the evidence on the day, the court canceled the testimony scheduled that afternoon for two Chanel store employees. As a result, the hearing ended 36 minutes after it began. Jeon's side said, "There is no need to examine witnesses such as former Deputy Minister Yoon and other Unification Church officials, Kim, or former secretary Yu Kyung-ok, and we have nothing to ask on cross-examination."
The next hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 28th of this month.