Kim Gunhee's 'Graff Necklace DNA Request' Questioned by Special Prosecutor... President Han Hakja Returned to Detention Center

Kim's Side: "Never Used the Necklace"
Court Denies Extension of Detention Suspension for Han Hakja
"Golden Turtle" Lee Baeyong to Be Summoned Again Next Week

Mrs. Kim Gunhee's legal team has requested a DNA analysis from the court on a luxury necklace worth about 60 million won, which she is suspected of having received from the Unification Church via Jeon Sungbae, also known as Geonjin Bopsa. In response, the special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating the allegations against Mrs. Kim, stated that they "question the necessity" of such a test.

The first trial of Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who was indicted and detained on charges of stock manipulation related to Deutsch Motors and allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church, was held on the afternoon of the 24th. Mrs. Kim is entering the courtroom and waiting for the trial. September 24, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

During a regular briefing that afternoon, a member of the special prosecutor team said, "The defense has submitted an opinion, so we will review it, but we have doubts about whether it is necessary."

Previously, the defense submitted an opinion to the Criminal Agreement Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo Inseong) requesting that a reputable institution conduct a DNA analysis on the Graff necklace.

Mrs. Kim has admitted to receiving two Chanel bags from the Unification Church between April and July 2022, but denies ever receiving the Graff necklace. The defense believes that DNA analysis could prove that Mrs. Kim never used the necklace.

Regarding this, a member of the special prosecutor team explained, "The indictment against Mrs. Kim is based on the fact that she received the necklace. Whether she used or kept it is not our concern. Above all, there is the courtroom testimony from Mr. Jeon, who stated he delivered the Graff necklace, in addition to various other pieces of evidence."

Additionally, the special prosecutor team refuted the defense's claim by former President Yoon Sukyeol's legal team that the "additional search and seizure related to the official residence relocation allegations" conducted the previous day was an unrelated investigation. A member of the special prosecutor team said, "The search and seizure was conducted as part of the investigation into the official residence relocation and is not considered an unrelated investigation."

Court Denies Extension of Detention Suspension for President Han Hakja... Returned to Detention Center

Meanwhile, the court has denied the request by the legal team of Han Hakja, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who was indicted and detained by the special prosecutor team, to extend her suspension of execution of detention. As a result, President Han has been returned to the detention center.

Han Hakja, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church), who had refused to appear three times at the special prosecutor's summons, is attending the office of Special Prosecutor Kim Gunhee set up at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. 2025.9.17 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

According to the legal community, on this day, the Criminal Agreement Division 27 (Presiding Judge Woo Inseong) did not accept President Han's request, which was filed the previous day, for an extension of the suspension of execution of detention. Previously, on the 4th, the court had conditionally granted President Han's request for suspension of detention for health reasons, and she was hospitalized and underwent surgery.

The suspension period was set to end at 4 p.m. on this day, and since the court did not approve the extension, President Han was returned to the detention center.

A member of the special prosecutor team stated, "Upon review, the ophthalmic surgery, which was the reason for the suspension of detention, has already been completed, and the necessity for post-operative care, which was the main reason for the extension request, was not sufficiently demonstrated. We submitted an opinion to dismiss the request to the court today."

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor team plans to summon Lee Baeyong, former Chairperson of the National Education Commission, who is under suspicion of involvement in the "Golden Turtle bribery-for-office scandal," again on the morning of the 13th. Lee, who was summoned for the first time by the special prosecutor team the previous day, is suspected of giving money to Mrs. Kim and requesting a government position appointment.