’I Want to Know That‘ delves into the shadow of shamanism that has stirred controversy around President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife, from the time they were candidates to the martial law period.

The shaman secret service controversy rekindles

In December 2024, South Korea is in shock and chaos due to President Yoon Seok-yeol‘s declaration of martial law and the passage of the impeachment bill. In particular, fears about the meticulous martial law plan are also soaring as former Intelligence Command Commander Noh Sang-won, a civilian, is arrested after being identified as the planner of the rebellion who ordered the military’s election management committee and the arrest of key figures. His notebook also contained creepy phrases like ‘Induce North Korea to attack, shoot to kill’ and surprisingly, after it was revealed that he was a fortune teller who opened a fortune teller shop after his military service, the controversy over shamanism is boiling again.

A teacher, a shaman, and a Taoist priest

Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol appeared at a presidential primary debate with the character ‘King(王)’ on his palm. The controversy over shamanism began when it was revealed that ‘Geonjinbeopsa’ Jeon Seong-bae, who was also close to First Lady Kim Kun-hee, was pointed out as the person behind it, and that he served as an advisor to the network headquarters of Yoon Seok-yeol‘s camp. Here, the controversy grew as suspicions were raised that the self-proclaimed mentor of the president, ‘Cheonggong’, and the self-proclaimed ‘Jirisan Taoist’, Myeong Tae-gyun, advised the president and his wife or influenced their official duties and policy decisions.

Is he the mentor of the president and his wife, or a secret agent manipulating state affairs?

“Yongsan is a place for people to sit. It is the best land in the capital city of Seoul.” - Cheonggong

“The president is a ‘blind warrior’, and Mrs. Kim Kun-hee is a ‘lame sorcerer’ who sits on his shoulders and casts spells.” - Myeong Tae-gyun

After the president was elected, the relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan was suddenly pushed forward despite concerns about a security vacuum and lax security. Is it true that the suspicions that a shaman was behind it are true? Is it an unfounded suspicion that their influence was also involved in the British Queen’s failure to visit the Blue Whale Project in Yeongil Bay? Excluding Myeong Tae-gyun, who was arrested, what is the position of Master Cheongong and Master Geonjin, whose whereabouts the production team had difficulty tracking down, on the controversy over the shaman secret?

Meanwhile, this week‘s SBS ‘I Want to Know That’ will air on Saturday the 4th at 11:10 p.m.

Reporter Choi Yoon-na, Donga.com yyynnn@donga.com