The prosecution investigating the case of fortune teller 'Geonjin Beopsa' Jeon Seong-bae (65) has reportedly secured evidence that a Chanel bag received from a member of the Unification Church as a gift for First Lady Kim Keon-hee was delivered to her secretary.
First Lady Kim has stated that she has never received the bag.
The prosecution has been investigating whether luxury bags and necklaces received from former director of the Unification Church Yun were actually delivered to Kim.
The Southern District Prosecutors' Office's Joint Investigation Team on Virtual Assets (Director General Park Geon-wook) has confirmed recent indications that a Chanel bag was delivered to Kim's secretary Yu.
Previously, Jeon stated during the prosecution investigation that she lost the gifts received from former Deputy Minister Yun.
However, the prosecution has reportedly secured records from searches of companies like Chanel Korea showing that Yu exchanged the Chanel bag for a more expensive one after receiving it from Jeon.
The prosecution plans to summon First Lady Kim soon to investigate whether she actually received the bag and whether Yu exchanged it.
However, Kim's lawyer stated to Chosunilbo that 'Yu was running an errand for Jeon without Kim's knowledge' and that 'Kim has never received the bag.' Yu was reportedly summoned last week where she provided a similar statement.
The prosecution is also investigating whether the ultra-expensive British luxury necklace 'Graff' received by Jeon from former Deputy Minister Yun in the second half of last year was delivered to Kim.
Earlier, First Lady Kim wore a necklace from the French luxury brand 'Van Cleef & Arpels' valued at around 60 million won during NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit, which was her first overseas trip after President Yoon's inauguration in June 2022.
The prosecution has secured conversations in which former Deputy Minister Yun told Jeon right after the trip, 'Do not borrow it as it will be a gift for Kim.' However, Kim's side denied, stating, '(I) have never received a necklace from Jeon.'