A shaman known for close ties to former first lady Kim Keon Hee has appealed a court ruling sentencing him to six years in prison for accepting bribes from the Unification Church. The Seoul Central District Court convicted Jeon Seong-bae, better known as Geonjin, of colluding with Kim to receive goods worth 80 million won ($55,000) in 2022, along with other offenses. Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team has also appealed the ruling, which acquitted him of violating the Political Funds Act.
Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman better known as Geonjin and recognized for his close association with former first lady Kim Keon Hee, has appealed a six-year prison sentence handed down by the Seoul Central District Court for bribery offenses. Legal sources reported on Monday, March 2, 2026, that Jeon filed the appeal on the previous Friday.
The court convicted Jeon of colluding with Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, to accept goods valued at 80 million won ($55,000) from a former Unification Church official in 2022, along with other related offenses. However, it acquitted him of violating the Political Funds Act, which involved allegations of receiving bribes from a provincial councilmember candidate in exchange for assistance in securing a nomination.
The team led by special counsel Min Joong-ki has also appealed the acquittal on the Political Funds Act charge. The case has drawn significant attention due to Jeon's ties to Kim Keon Hee. The ruling confirmed the bribery involving the Unification Church but dismissed the political funding violation for lack of evidence. Details on the appeal proceedings remain unavailable at this stage.
