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Kim Keon-hee, wife of People Power Party presidential nominee Yoon Suk-yeol, reads a statement in response to allegations of embellishing her resume at the party’s headquarters in Yeouido on Dec. 26. (pool photo)

People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, is once again making headlines as more of her phone conversations were made public. In the latest release, it was revealed that after hearing that a fortune-teller advised that the Blue House state guest house be relocated, Kim expressed agreement with the sentiment.

During the call, Kim reportedly also mentioned that her husband has “spiritual energy.” Despite the controversy regarding shamanism, the party is still considering how and when to involve her in Yoon’s campaign for the Blue House.

In the recording, which was released on Monday by online media outlets Open Mind TV and Voice of Seoul, a reporter surnamed Lee said to Kim, “Of the [Taoist] masters I know, [one said Yoon Suk-yeol] will become president. But [the master said that] as soon as he enters the Blue House, he should move the state guest house.”

In the recording, Kim responded to the reporter that the state guest house “would be moved.”

When questioned again by the reporter if she was going to relocate it, Kim reportedly replied, “Yes.”

The Blue House state guest house is where domestic and foreign dignitaries are accommodated during visits. The phone call is being interpreted as Kim agreeing with some shamans’ claims that former presidents suffered bad fates following their tenure in office due to the poor location of the guesthouse.

In the recordings, Kim also mentioned that her husband has “spiritual energy.”

“This is what connected us,” Kim noted in the recordings, adding, “We were both originally destined to live alone. So it was fate that brought us together,” Kim added.

This is in line with the story that a figure who goes by Monk Mujeong (Mujeong Seunim), referred to commonly as Yoon's “mentor,” recommended that Kim marry Yoon, telling her that she’s a “good match” with him.

Yoon met with reporters on Monday at his party’s headquarters, where he said that he “feels apologetic to all those who have been made uncomfortable or who have been hurt” by the publicized recordings of his wife. His comments seem to be directed at appeasing lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo and former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min — both of whom denied allegations made by Kim Keon-hee that they had taken part in shamanic exorcisms. Hong called Kim's remark "a lie," while Yoo said it was "a hoax."

However, Yoon voiced his frustrations over MBC broadcasting the recordings, saying, “Portions that the court told [MBC] not to air, which [MBC] said they wouldn’t, are now being aired on the news.”

“It’s hard for us to understand this coming from a public broadcaster.”

Besides Yoon’s remarks, voices inside the party seem to be weighing how these latest recordings will impact Kim’s public involvement in the last leg of her husband’s campaign following the Lunar New Year holiday.

One official from the PPP’s election headquarters said, “It’s not possible for [Kim] to hide until the election.”

“Kim [Keon-hee] said she is contemplating her involvement in [campaign] activities, so discussions about this are ongoing,” they added.

By Bae Ji-hyun, staff reporter

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