Seoul: Prosecutors raided the residence of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday as part of an investigation into suspicions regarding his family's connections with a controversial shaman. The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office dispatched prosecutors and investigators to Yoon's residence in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, in search of potential evidence related to allegations surrounding shaman Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the investigation is examining claims that a high-ranking Unification Church official delivered a diamond necklace and an expensive bag to Jeon shortly after Yoon's election as president in 2022. These items were allegedly intended as gifts for former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Prosecutors are working to verify the authenticity of these claims and determine whether any gifts were indeed handed over to Kim.

The prosecutors suspect that the church official may have tried to bribe Kim to secure her approval for official development assistance related to the church's project in Cambodia. In addition to Yoon's residence, the raid extended to the office of Covana Contents, previously managed by Kim, along with the homes of two of her aides. Authorities obtained Kim's mobile phone, memos, and other evidence during the operation.

This marks the first instance of a prosecution raid on the Yoon-Kim couple since Yoon's ousting in early April. Currently, Kim has not been named as a suspect, and her legal status remains that of a witness, although it could be subject to change as the investigation progresses.

During the raid, a group of Yoon's supporters gathered outside the former president's apartment, voicing their opposition to the search by chanting slogans against the raid.