Former Prosecutor General Jeon and ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol confronted each other in court for the first time during a death penalty hearing linked to the ‘Prosecutor General case.’ This marked their initial courtroom encounter. Jeon testified that Yoon, upon entering public service after his appointment, expressed appreciation by stating, ‘It’s good that you’re in public office.’ Jeon further emphasized that no contact occurred after Yoon’s presidential exit statement.
Initial Encounters with Kim Ye-sa
Jeon recounted first meeting Kim Ye-sa in March 2013, with Yoon’s deputy apprehended by December of that year. Responding to questions in a written statement, Jeon clarified, ‘It wasn’t intentional, but that’s how it happened.’ Investigators noted Kim Ye-sa’s involvement in Yoon’s initial meeting. Jeon added, ‘We met together at that time. There are no other meetings. People meet because they exist, but claiming it was just an introduction means I didn’t orchestrate it.’ However, Jeon did not provide a detailed account of the content during this hearing.
Jeon described his relationship with Yoon as not particularly close. When pressed on private meetings during Yoon’s tenure as Prosecutor General from 2014 to 2016, Jeon replied, ‘That person was Kim Ye-sa at the time,’ stressing, ‘As an individual, Park Geun-hye did not engage in many private conversations.’
Ongoing Ties and Public Office Praise
Despite this, Jeon acknowledged advising Yoon during discussions on his autobiography to adopt a more aggressive tone, stating, ‘The content related to the autobiography draft wasn’t meant to conceal documents by fabricating issues.’ Jeon elaborated symbolically: ‘The large drum is located on Mount Bissel. It was delivered to Yoon’s inspector. Looking at the Hanja for Bissel Mountain, the ‘wang’ (king) character appears four times, with the second and sixth strokes forming the name of King Se-myeong. That’s worth noting.’
Connections persisted afterward. Jeon confirmed Yoon’s chief investigation director visited his home, denying fabrication and noting, ‘Even Kim Ye-sa said to Chief Choi (then deputy prosecutor general), “It’s better to have Kim Ye-sa as chief than anyone else.”‘ This indicated a preference for returning to a key role amid internal dynamics.
Presidential Campaign and Cut-Off
Yoon avoided directly explaining the first meeting’s content by citing his official appointment in 2013. Yoon stated, ‘Upon receiving official appointment as government official, I didn’t personally create trouble during the investigation and assured those involved, “I’ll explain it properly.”‘ Jeon agreed, ‘That’s correct.’
No Post-Exit Contact
Jeon testified that Yoon cut ties after his June 2021 presidential exit statement, having met Yoon directly only once post-exit. He noted seeing Yoon at the investigation director’s meeting after the exit and Yoon’s presence at the January 1, 2022, presidential campaign New Year’s event as the final instance.
Investigators highlighted Yoon’s deputy recruiting Kim Ye-sa via Acropolis Tana Cobana Connect services even after the exit. Jeon denied explaining this in prior statements.
Campaign Denials
Jeon asserted no presidential campaign building involved meeting Kim Ye-sa. Investigators referenced a January 2022 online interview where Jeon received a question on ‘non-official personnel changes’ and suggested sniping related parties, noting Yoon’s death penalty hearing announcement but no meeting facts. One side viewed those announcing hearings as non-participants.
Yoon reportedly explained to Jeon during the January 1 campaign New Year’s event that ‘non-official Noh Ran’s comments were different, leading to the personnel change explanation.’ Jeon confirmed non-involvement. He also stated gaining trust through truthful conduct.
Even then, Yoon claimed non-introduction of his original reason to national citizens via Jeon.
