Well, it appears that South Korea’s political drama continues to serve more plot twists than a late-season K-drama, and this week’s guest star? A shaman, a handbag, and the ever-mystical Unification Church.
Yes, the special counsel has dusted off their search warrants and marched right into the Unification Church’s HQ in Gapyeong – presumably stepping over clouds of incense and tax-free donations – in pursuit of alleged luxury gift-giving with a strong whiff of influence-peddling. The Chanel handbag in question may or may not be real, but the scandal has enough sparkle to keep Seoul’s rumour mill in overdrive.
At the centre of this spiritual shopping spree is none other than Madame Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, whose handbag game might now come with subpoena attachments. The investigators claim a church official, Mr. Yun, handed over jewellery and designer goods to a mystic named Jeon Seong-bae – aka Geon Jin – a shaman reportedly close to Kim. Whether this closeness extends to handbag handoffs is what prosecutors are hoping to divine.
In exchange, it’s alleged the church sought support for its, shall we say, diverse business portfolio: think Mekong River projects, cable news channels, and a few state gala invites for good measure. Jeon, in an impressive display of selective amnesia, admits to receiving the luxury loot but insists it has since “gone missing.” Very spiritual.
To thicken the soup, there’s now scrutiny on the involvement of former ruling party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong – suspected of acting as a holy go-between for the church and Kim. He insists it’s all nonsense, but the investigators were unpersuaded enough to raid his home and office. Never mind that – the real question is whether he ever actually got that leadership job he may or may not have lobbied for with sacred help. (Spoiler: he didn’t.)
Even the National Intelligence Service has now been blessed with a visit from the special counsel – this time over a prosecutor-turned-spy adviser with links to both Kim Keon Hee and failed election campaigns. Because, naturally, if you’re not elected, the next best job is a comfy desk at the nation’s top spy agency – especially if your friends wear pearls and occasionally bend space-time to manifest handbags.
The Unification Church, for its part, denies everything. Yun insists the gifts were all above board and even had the blessing of the church’s leader, Han Hak-ja – a claim promptly rejected by everyone with a PR advisor.
As for the investigators, they’re still rummaging through handbags, meeting invites, and suspicious Cambodian riverfront deals, trying to figure out who did what, with what handbag, and in which house of worship.
More as it develops – or disappears mysteriously like a luxury accessory in a shaman’s pocket.
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