SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors have imposed a travel ban on the leader of the Unification Church as part of an investigation into allegations that the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol received luxury gifts from the church, sources said Thursday.
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office recently imposed an overseas travel ban on the church leader, Han Hak-ja, in connection with its investigation into allegations that a high-ranking church official gifted a diamond necklace worth 60 million won (US$43,405) and two Chanel bags to Kim via a shaman.
The shaman, Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin, allegedly delivered the items to Kim and asked for various business favors on behalf of the church after Yoon was elected president in 2022, according to the sources.
Prosecutors suspect the church official may have acted either under Han's direction or with her tacit approval, given the high value of the gifts and other circumstances. The church has maintained that the gifts were offered based on the official's personal motives.
Prosecutors have yet to locate the necklace and bags, while Jeon has claimed that the items were lost.
Investigators, however, have confirmed that the bags were delivered to a member of Kim's personal staff, surnamed Yoo, who reportedly exchanged both for different models after paying surcharges.
Kim's side has asserted that the gifts were never handed to her, suggesting that the shaman and Yoo may have had a separate personal connection.
Shaman Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin, attends a trial session at the Seoul Southern District Court in Seoul in this May 12, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250522010300320
No comments:
Post a Comment