The special counsel investigating First Lady Kim Keon-hee has requested a five-year prison sentence for Jeon Seong-bae, known as "Geonjin Beobsa" (a Buddhist monk title), on charges of delivering bribes from the Unification Church to the first lady.
At the final hearing held Friday at the Seoul Central District Court's 33rd Criminal Division, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, the special counsel team led by Min Jung-ki sought a three-year sentence for alleged violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (brokerage of favors for profit) and an additional two years for political funding law violations. Prosecutors also requested the court order forfeiture of 280.7 million won ($197,000).
"The defendant exploited his connections with the presidential couple and high-ranking politicians, parasitizing power to pursue personal gain," Deputy Special Counsel Park Sang-jin said. "During the course of the crimes, some of the defendant's brokered requests were realized, meaning abuse of state affairs became a reality."
However, Park noted that Jeon "belatedly acknowledged most of the facts and cooperated in establishing the truth by submitting the Chanel bags and other items."
In his final statement, Jeon said, "I sincerely reflect on causing social controversy through my foolishness."
The verdict is scheduled for 2 p.m. on February 11 next year.
Jeon was indicted for allegedly receiving two Chanel bags worth approximately 20 million won and a Graff diamond necklace from the UK valued at around 60 million won from Yoon Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church's world headquarters, between April and August 2022, and delivering them to Kim.
