The Secret Space of Geonjinbeobsa Jeonseongbae and Amaterasu

Background and Purpose of the Kim Gun-hee Special Investigation

The Kim Kun-hee special investigation is not limited to investigating the personal misconduct of the President's spouse. The 'Kim Kun-hee Special Investigation Act,' passed by the National Assembly at the end of 2024, was a response from the political realm aimed at uncovering the true nature of figures operating outside the core of the Presidential Office and the ruling party connected to unofficial power, political funding, and illegal nomination requests. The subjects of the special investigation include not only the allegations of stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors but also people close to the President's spouse, particularly Jeon Sung-bae, known as a shaman. Jeon has been identified as an individual who actively participated in the election camp during Yoon Suk-yeol's presidential candidacy and is at the center of the 'unofficial power' suspicions. The special investigation has expanded from merely addressing personal misconduct to a structural investigation that examines the mental and political foundations of power.

Who is Jeon Seong-bae, the Geonjin Shaman?

Jeon Seong-bae is a shaman known by the name 'Geonjinbeopsa,' who, while using Buddhist attire and language, is a mystical figure that incorporates elements of various religions. He operates mainly from a temple in Gangnam, Seoul, and has maintained contact with individuals in the political arena. Notably, during the 2022 presidential election, he became a focal point of controversy when it was revealed through the media that he held the position of senior advisor at the 'Network Headquarters' of the People Power Party's Yoon Seok-yeol campaign. Geonjinbeopsa gained public attention through the so-called 'Touch Incident,' where he claimed to have helped expel bad luck for President Yoon Seok-yeol. Afterward, the presidential office denied any relationship with him, but evidence suggesting Jeon’s direct involvement in the nepotism process emerged through texts and call records, making his substantial influence undeniable. Subsequently, suspicions arose that he acted as a connection to Kim Kun-hee, further solidifying the image of him as a spiritual advisor or unofficial consultant to the presidential couple.

The Secret Space of the Temple and the Meaning of the Search and Seizure

In July 2025, the Kim Geon-hee special investigation team conducted an additional search at Jeon Seong-bae's temple. The focus was on a double-structured secret space connected to the basement area behind the second-floor living room. This space had not been captured in previous investigations and had a closed structure that could only be accessed through a concealed passage behind the altar. It has been suggested that this secret space was used not only for simple shamanistic practices but also for political entertainments, discussions, and the storage of sensitive materials. In fact, the search yielded high-value items, large amounts of cash, electronic devices, and documents, with reports indicating that there was a list naming specific politicians. As a result, this space has been symbolically interpreted as a "sanctuary of hidden power" and a "center of political-shamanistic collaboration." The way the space was designed—with an emphasis on secrecy and selective access—makes it even more noteworthy.

What is 'Amaterasu' enshrined in the secret space?

The most notable aspect of this secret space was the statue of the sun goddess 'Amaterasu Omikami' from Japanese mythology. Amaterasu is the supreme deity of Shinto, the ancestral deity of the Japanese imperial family, and a symbol of the legitimacy of sacred power. She is the goddess of the sun, and the red circle on the Japanese flag is often interpreted as a representation of Amaterasu. The act of enshrining such a statue in a Korean shamanistic temple, particularly in a secret space, goes beyond mere religious decoration. Experts analyze this as a trace of Shinto worship during the Japanese colonial period, or as a case where the forcibly transplanted Shinto faith still lingers. The reason why the Geonjin shaman worships the supreme deity of Japan is interpreted not so much as a religious belief, but as an attempt to borrow the legitimacy and symbolism of power. Amaterasu symbolizes the identity of gods and emperors in Japan, and the Geonjin shaman bringing that image could indicate a recognition of being at the center of power.

Appearance of 'Amaterasu' in the Japanese animation Naruto

Amaterasu is a symbol widely utilized in Japanese popular culture. In the anime 'Naruto,' it appears as a technique used by Itachi Uchiha, who has awakened the kaleidoscopic Sharingan. The setting specifies that the black flames do not extinguish until they consume the target, and the technique is associated with the symbolism of 'eternal judgment.' This technique is not merely an offensive means but serves as a tool to express mythological absoluteness. In 'Naruto,' Amaterasu is a powerful technique that demands a cost, with the user having to endure extreme pain and vision loss. This can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the costs of power and divinity, as well as absolute control. While it is uncertain whether the creators were directly conscious of 'Naruto,' one can infer that the use of Amaterasu as a symbol of 'absolute power' in popular culture indicates that the intention behind enshrining its idol was not solely to adhere to its mythological origins.

Why did Geun-Jin serve 'Amaterasu'?

The reason why Geongjin Beopsa enshrined Amaterasu is complex. Firstly, unlike traditional Korean shamanism, the enshrinement of a deity in a secret space in Shinto reveals an intentional otherness. This otherness likely functioned in the direction of 'symbolization of hidden power.' In other words, this deity could be a device to visualize the influence and transcendent sense that a VIP or a powerful individual possesses, rather than simply an object of faith. There is also an analysis suggesting that it served as a symbol to emphasize to high-ranking figures who came to request rituals that he was 'a being different from ordinary shamans.' Furthermore, Amaterasu is a core deity of Japanese imperialism, and in Japanese politics, it has been intertwined with the legitimacy of the emperor system. From this perspective, Geongjin Beopsa's enshrinement of Amaterasu may signal that he was dreaming of a bond or equality with political power.

The potential mental connection between Geonjinbeopsa and Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Kun-hee

Geonjin Beopsa is a figure who has been closely associated with President Yoon Seok-yeol and First Lady Kim Geon-hee since their campaign days, and it has been suggested that he may have had a certain influence on the couple's spiritual worldview. In particular, Kim is known to have shown interest in various religious elements, ranging from past Buddhist practices to shamanistic beliefs and even spiritual counseling. The former's attempts to connect power with the sacred, as well as the presence of political figures who believed and followed this, are assessed as attempts to borrow the power of the sacred to secure legitimacy of power, going beyond simple religious issues. The suspicions regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's intuition-based decision-making style and the existence of spiritual advisors for Kim Geon-hee gain realism in this context.

The impact of this incident on Korean society

The "Gunjinbeobsa incident" was not merely a matter of a shaman's misconduct, but rather it became an occasion to reveal the reality of the hidden political power deeply rooted in the political sphere. First, the public was shocked by political interference through religious and spiritual authority that was hidden behind the facade of democratic procedures. The fact that a shaman was the mental supporter of the presidential couple and played a pivotal role in nominations and political requests severely damaged the foundation of political trust. Second, this incident clearly highlighted the issues of transparency in political funding and structural problems within the nomination system. Although the special investigation is still ongoing, many politicians have already been implicated, exposing inappropriate monetary exchanges and personnel interventions in the process. Third, there is a newly formed awareness in Korean society regarding the detrimental effects that arise when politics, religion, and spirituality are intertwined. When political authority relies on or is concealed by the sacred, that authority tends to escape public control. Therefore, this incident served as an opportunity to raise social awareness about power oversight and the separation of religion and politics.

Conclusion

The keywords Geonjin Beomsa, secret space, and Amaterasu may inherently contain religious elements or personal beliefs. However, the moment they combine with power, public order and democracy begin to fracture. The special investigation into Kim Geon-hee and the Geonjin Beomsa case is an attempt to mend that fracture. This incident is not merely the deviation of a shaman, but rather a political and sociological event that reveals the structural vulnerabilities of Korean politics and an excessive dependence on spiritual authority. The shadow of Amaterasu, which began in this secret space, continues to pose profound questions to the political structure of Korean society.