Seoul: A shaman known for his 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, legal sources said Monday. Jeon Seong-bae, who is more commonly referred to as Geonjin, filed his appeal last Friday, just days after the Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of accepting goods valued at 80 million won (approximately US$55,000) from a former official of the church in 2022. The court determined that Jeon colluded with Kim, the spouse of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, among other offenses.
According to Yonhap News Agency, special counsel Min Joong-ki's team has also appealed the court's decision. The ruling had acquitted Jeon of violating the Political Funds Act. This charge was related to allegations that he had accepted bribes from a candidate for a provincial councilmember position in exchange for assisting with securing a nomination.