Kim Gunhee Special Prosecutor Summons Kim Yesung and Geonjin Beopsa for Simultaneous Questioning... Possibility of Face-to-Face Interrogation

Simultaneous Questioning of Key Figures in Major Allegations
Geonjin Beopsa Appears Before Special Prosecutor for the First Time
Investigation Into "Unification Church Solicitation" Allegations

Yoon Seokyeol, former president, wife Kim Geonhee, is coming out after the pre-arrest hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 12th. 2025.08.12 Photo by Joint Press Corps

On August 18, the special prosecutor's team investigating Kim Gunhee summoned Kim Gunhee, Kim Yesung-often referred to as her butler-and Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, for questioning at the same time. As the special prosecutor's team summoned all three individuals on the same day, there is growing interest in whether a face-to-face cross-examination will take place.

The special prosecutor's team called in all three individuals at 10 a.m. for simultaneous questioning. This is the first time that Kim Gunhee is being questioned together with Kim Yesung and Jeon Seongbae, both of whom are key figures in the allegations involving her. If their statements diverge during the investigation, there is a possibility that the special prosecutor's team will conduct face-to-face interrogations between Kim Gunhee and Kim Yesung, and between Kim Gunhee and Jeon Seongbae, respectively.

There is analysis suggesting that the special prosecutor's team is accelerating its investigations into the main targets-the so-called "Butler Gate" and the "Unification Church Solicitation"-with the intention of indicting Kim Gunhee and wrapping up the case. Given the multitude of allegations against Kim Gunhee, it is believed that the team may be aiming to first conclude cases that have reached a certain stage, before focusing its efforts on other matters.

Jeon Seongbae was a senior advisor at the network headquarters of former President Yoon Seokyeol's presidential campaign, known as the "Yangjaedong Team," during the 20th presidential election. He is suspected of lobbying Kim Gunhee on behalf of the Unification Church. He also faces allegations of receiving money from various individuals as "prayer fees" and intervening in personnel appointments and nominations. This is the first time Jeon Seongbae, who is known to have been involved in several allegations related to Kim Gunhee, is appearing before the special prosecutor's team.

Jeon Seongbae claims that he did not deliver luxury necklaces and bags he received from the Unification Church to Kim Gunhee, asserting that he lost them. Kim Gunhee also maintains that she never received any items from the Unification Church via Jeon Seongbae. The special prosecutor's team plans to review Jeon Seongbae's statements and other evidence before deciding whether to request an arrest warrant.

Kim Yesung, who was arrested on August 15, is also being questioned by the special prosecutor for the first time since his detention. He is accused of receiving investments totaling 18.4 billion won from multiple companies, including HS Hyosung, and pocketing 4.6 billion won through Innovest Korea, a company suspected of being a shell corporation he secretly owns. The special prosecutor's team stated in Kim Yesung's arrest warrant that he embezzled more than 3.8 billion won out of the investment funds received from companies through a shell corporation he effectively controlled.

Kim Yesung has completely denied allegations that he is the butler of Kim Gunhee's family and insists that Kim Gunhee was never involved in the investment funds he received from the companies. However, the special prosecutor's team is investigating whether the funds Kim Yesung received may have been funneled to Kim Gunhee.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.