South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Alleged Unofficial Advisor, Shaman Geonjin, Arrested by Prosecutors

Jeon Seong Bae, a shaman who has been linked to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, was arrested by prosecutors this week on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. Jeon, known by the moniker Shaman Geonjin, is accused of illegal financial dealings involving political contributions.

Jeon’s ties to the president and first lady have raised eyebrows in South Korea. Reports suggest that he had a close personal relationship with Yoon and Kim, leading to accusations of influence-peddling.

In 2018, Jeon was allegedly involved in a political funding scandal, accused of receiving over 100 million won (approximately $69,530) in illegal contributions from a mayoral candidate in Yeongcheon, a city in Gyeongbuk, during the local elections.

The arrest comes amid a broader investigation into the so-called Yonsama Coin, a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme allegedly connected to South Korean actor Bae Yong Joon. Prosecutors say they detected suspicious financial transactions while probing the scam and uncovered evidence linking Jeon to the illegal activity.

In addition to his arrest, investigators executed simultaneous searches of Jeon’s home in Seocho-gu, Seoul, his temple in Gangnam, and his mobile phone. Prosecutors have stated that further investigation will determine whether an arrest warrant will be sought.

Jeon, who had previously gained attention in South Korea for his public appearances alongside the president, became controversial in January 2022. During a campaign event, a video showed him tapping Yoon’s arm and shoulder. At the time, Jeon was reportedly active in the Network Headquarters, a team supporting Yoon’s election campaign.

The situation surrounding Jeon has sparked concerns over possible influence-peddling involving the presidential couple. Reports indicate that Jeon received a business card from Kim Keon Hee’s company, Kobana Contents, which has led to speculation that he may have influenced appointments and schedules within the presidential administration. This has fueled accusations of shamanistic unofficial influence over political affairs.

Jeon has denied the allegations, claiming that since the mayoral candidate did not win, some of the funds were returned, and there was no wrongdoing. Prosecutors, however, emphasized that the investigation into Jeon’s financial dealings began after suspicious transactions were detected in August and September. They also clarified that the case is unrelated to Yoon’s ongoing impeachment matter.