Jeon Seong-bae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, arrives to undergo questioning at the office of the Kim Keon-hee special counsel team (Special Prosecutor Min Jung-gi) set up in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in August last year. Jeong Hyo-jin, reporter

Jeon Seong-bae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, who was indicted on charges of delivering valuables provided by the Unification Church to First Lady Kim Keon-hee, had his five-year prison sentence finalized by the Supreme Court. For Yun Yeong-ho, former head of the Unification Church World Headquarters, who was accused of handing over valuables through Jeon to the First Lady while seeking favors on Unification Church matters, a term of one year and six months was finalized.

On the 9th, the Supreme Court Third Division (presiding Justice No Kyung-pil) affirmed the lower court ruling that sentenced Jeon to five years in prison in his case on final appeal on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (influence-peddling bribery). Prosecutors alleged that between April and July 2022, Jeon received from former headquarters chief Yun two Chanel bags, a Graff necklace, and other valuables worth $60,000 (80,000,000 KRW), together with requests concerning Unification Church matters, and delivered them to the First Lady.

Also that day, the Supreme Court Third Division (presiding Justice Oh Seok-jun) finalized a sentence of one year and six months for former headquarters chief Yun on charges of embezzlement in the course of duty, violation of the Political Funds Act, and violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. His convictions were also finalized for delivering to Jeon valuables including a Chanel bag in order to make Unification Church requests to the First Lady through him, and for delivering illegal political funds of $75,000 (100,000,000 KRW) to Rep. Kwon Seong-dong of the People Power Party.

With the Supreme Court also recognizing the ‘Unification Church church-state collusion allegations’ that the Unification Church gave valuables to the First Lady to build political influence, her case also appears likely to be affected. Indicted on the same counts, the First Lady was found guilty of all related charges at the appellate trial. The final appeal ruling in her case could come as early as the end of this month.