South Korean court upholds 5-year sentence for 'Geonjin Beopsa' in bribery case involving Unification Church and first lady's alleged connections

A South Korean court has upheld a five-year prison sentence for a man accused of accepting bribes and favors through his alleged connections to first lady Kim Keon-hee and the Unification Church. The Supreme Court confirmed the sentence for Jeon Seong-bae, also known as 'Geonjin Beopsa,' who was charged with bribery and violating political funding laws.

Prosecutors alleged that Jeon received approximately 80 million won (around $57,000) worth of Chanel bags from a Unification Church official between April and July 2022. These were reportedly intended for first lady Kim. The special prosecutor's team, investigating Kim, also claimed Jeon delivered other luxury items, including a Graff diamond necklace, to the first lady.

Both the first and second trials found Jeon guilty. The appellate court specifically deemed the Chanel bag, gifted shortly before the former president's inauguration in 2022, as "payment for implicit favors rather than a simple gift." The courts also found Jeon guilty of receiving 30 million won from a Unification Church executive for promising the position of advisor to the Tongil Group and accepting over 200 million won in bribes from various companies.

Initially sentenced to six years in prison, Jeon's sentence was reduced to five years on appeal. The court cited his partial confession and the submission of evidence, including the Chanel bag, as mitigating factors. The ruling solidifies the legal consequences for Jeon's alleged role in facilitating favors through his connections.

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It was deemed not a simple gift but payment for implicit favors.