Geonjin Beopsa Changes Testimony Again...This Time Claims "Kim Keon-hee Received Chanel Bag and Necklace, Said 'Thank You'"

[Financial News] Jeon Sungbae, also known as Geonjin Beopsa, who is on trial for delivering valuables to Kim Keon-hee, has now testified that Kim received a Chanel bag and necklace and said 'thank you.'
At the third hearing on the 28th at Criminal Division 33, Seoul Central District Court (presided over by Judge Jin Gwan Lee), Jeon stated that when the court asked, 'Did you ever speak with Kim Keon-hee after instructing former presidential secretary Kyeong-ok Yu to deliver the items to her?' he replied, "Kim Keon-hee confirmed she received the items," and "She said she received them well." He added, "At first, she was hesitant to accept the items, but since I delivered them three times, she seemed to accept them more easily later. It seemed she was reluctant at first."
Jeon also stated that he spoke with Kim Keon-hee each time he delivered the items. Regarding the process of returning the valuables, he said, "She (Kim Keon-hee) said she would return them. I think she thought there might be trouble or an incident because of the items."
Previously, Jeon reversed his earlier stance and admitted to delivering valuables to Kim Keon-hee. The Special Prosecutor's Team for Kim Kun-hee (Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki's Team) announced on the 21st that Jeon, through his attorney, voluntarily submitted a Graff necklace worth 62.2 million won, Chanel shoes, and three Chanel bags. Since the prosecution's investigation last year, Jeon had claimed that while he did receive these items from the Unification Church, he had lost them all. However, he has now admitted to the special prosecutor's charges. On the 24th, Jeon appeared as a witness at Kim Keon-hee's trial and testified, "I received a Chanel bag from Yoon Young-ho, former director of the Unification Church World Headquarters," and "I delivered it to Kim Keon-hee."
When the court asked why he changed his testimony, Jeon explained, "During the prosecution's investigation, I wanted to avoid responsibility regarding the delivery process, but in court, I felt it was right to tell the truth and be punished." He added, "Since Kyeong-ok Yu was the intermediary who was told to deliver the items to Kim Keon-hee, I said I delivered them to Kyeong-ok Yu."
Meanwhile, an audio recording of a conversation between Kim Keon-hee and former director Yoon Young-ho was played in court. In the recording, Kim Keon-hee said to Yoon, "You helped a lot during the election, so please help a little more." Yoon replied, "We are always actively supporting you," and "Although the situation is complicated, we are overcoming it." Kim Keon-hee then said, "I am also taking the Ginseng Powder that President Hak Ja Han recommended. My health was not good, but it seems to be helping."
Jeon is accused of receiving 80 million won, including two Chanel bags, a Graff necklace, and Cheonsusam Concentrated Ginseng Tea, as gifts for Kim Keon-hee from Yoon Young-ho, former director of the Unification Church World Headquarters, along with requests related to Unification Church matters between April and July 2022. During the same period, he is also accused of receiving 30 million won in exchange for requesting the position of 'Unification Group advisor.'
Additionally, Jeon is accused of receiving valuables from Heerim Architects & Planners and Contents LAB Company in exchange for favors. The Special Prosecutor's Team for Kim Kun-hee (Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki's Team) also added that Jeon received 100 million won in connection with the nomination of Chang-wook Park as a Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council member ahead of the 8th National Simultaneous Local Elections in May 2022.

theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter