Special Counsel Min Joong-ki's special counsel team sought a five-year prison term for "Geonjin" Jeon Seong-bae, indicted on charges of colluding with First Lady Kim Keon-hee to receive money and valuables from the Unification Church along with a request to resolve pending issues.
On the 23rd, at the sentencing hearing for Jeon's case on charges of bribery for brokerage under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violation of the Political Funds Act, held before the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Presiding Judge Lee Jin-gwan), the special counsel team asked the court to hand down the requested sentence.
The special counsel team sought three years in prison for bribery for brokerage under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and two years in prison for violating the Political Funds Act. They also asked the court to confiscate a Chanel bag and cash totaling about 280 million won.
Special Counsel Park Sang-jin said, "Jeon flaunted connections with the presidential couple and high-ranking politicians, fed off power, and pursued private gain," adding, "In the course of the crimes, parts of Jeon's brokerage promises materialized, making state capture a reality."
In a final statement, Jeon said, "I sincerely reflect, and reflect again, and reflect yet again on having caused public controversy due to my foolishness."
Before the final statement, the court summoned Kim as a witness. Kim had been selected as a witness for the hearing on the 15th but failed to appear, citing health reasons, and the court imposed a 3 million won fine.
Kim wore a suit with her hair down, glasses, and a mask, and entered the courtroom with assistance from detention center staff. Kim asked the court, "I am in poor health. Please make accommodations."
When the special counsel team asked, "Did you have any contact with former Unification Church World Headquarters head Yun Young-ho?" and "Is it true you received a Chanel bag and a Graff necklace?" Kim refused to testify to all questions.
Jeon is accused of colluding with Kim to receive requests from former headquarters head Yun between April and July 2022 for support from the denomination, and taking money and valuables worth a total of about 80 million won, including a diamond necklace and a Chanel bag. He is also accused of demanding a position as "Unification Group adviser" in return for the requests and brokerage, receiving a total of 30 million won from former headquarters head Yun, and taking money and valuables amounting to 200 million won after receiving various requests from corporations.