윤과 관련된 점쟁이, 무당이 왜 이리 많아? - The Korea Times

[twinkle]

Politics

Why are there so many fortunetellers, shamans associated with Yoon?

윤과 관련된 점쟁이, 무당이 왜 이토록 많을까?

[ 차례 ] 1.천공, 2.노상원 아기보살, 3. 건진사 배성배, 4. 명태균보살 (화면 불기재), 5. 손바닥에 왕자 새긴 윤석열  6. 오랫동안 점술과 예언 행위에 깊이 바져온 대통령 부인

Shaman Cheon Gong / Captured from Cheon Gong's YouTube channel

샤먼 천공 / 천공 유튜브 채널에서 캡처

Yoon Suk Yeol, then-presidential candidate for the People Power Party, is seen with the Chinese character "王" (King) drawn on

당시 국민의힘 대선후보였던 윤석열의 손바닥에 '王'이라는 한자가 그려져 있다.

the center of his palm, during a televised debate on Oct. 1, 2021. This sparked controversy over his alleged ties to shamanism. Captured from MBN News

By Anna J. Park

The revelations surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol's close inner circle and their alleged connections to shamanistic practices are both unsettling and deeply troubling.

As more behind-the-scenes details emerge about Yoon and his confidants' secret efforts to push for a martial law declaration, it has been revealed that several key figures involved in the planning are connected to practices rooted in fortunetelling, superstition, and mysticism — shocking many people.

One such figure is Noh Sang-won, a former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command and, according to reports, a key figure in the Dec. 3 martial law plot.

Following his dishonorable discharge from the military back in 2018 for sexually harassing a female officer, Noh reportedly became involved in activities related to divination and shamanism. While it remains unclear whether he underwent the process of "shinerim” or spiritual calling (a shamanistic ritual) to become a traditional shaman himself, Noh jointly established a fortunetelling business with another shaman.

The entrance of retired Army Maj. Gen. Noh Sang-won's residence in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, Dec. 22, displays various items presumed to be used for shamanic rituals, such as persimmons, dried fish, flowers and boxes of various fruits. Yonhap

12월 22일 경기도 안산에 있는 노상원 예비역 육군 소장의 거주지 입구에는 감, 말린 생선, 꽃, 각종 과일 상자 등 무속의례에 쓰인 것으로 추정되는 다양한 물품들이 전시돼 있다. 연합뉴스

Noh Sang-won, left, and a shaman from whom Noh allegedly often sought guidance / Yonhap, captured from YouTube

노상원(왼쪽)과 노상원이 자주 지도를 구했다고 알려진 무당 / 연합뉴스, 유튜브 캡처

Jeon Seong-bae, center, a Buddhist monk and shaman, is surrounded by reporters and police officers as he is taken to the Seoul Southern District Court on Dec. 19, over his alleged acceptance of illegal political funds. Yonhap

전성배(중앙) 불교 승려이자 무당이 불법 정치자금 수수 혐의로 12월 19일 서울남부지방법원으로 끌려가는 동안 기자들과 경찰에 둘러싸여 있다. 연합뉴스

First lady Kim Keon Hee listens to President Yoon Suk Yeol's speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Sept. 21, 2023. Newsis

According to various media reports, the first lady has long been deeply immersed in divination and fortunetelling practices.

다양한 언론보도에 따르면,  오랫동안 점술과 예언 행위에 깊이 바져온 대통령 부인

The most recent report by a local media outlet about her superstitious beliefs was related to the controversy of her acceptance of a luxury Dior bag from a pastor. According to the report, the first lady sent a message to a well-known psychic in December 2023 and asked, "Am I going to prison?"

Political broker Myung Tae-kyun, who has sparked significant controversy surrounding the presidential couple in the latter half of this year, once described the relationship between Yoon and Kim as "a 5-year-old blind warrior carrying a crippled shaman (referring to Kim) on his shoulders." The remark left listeners questioning the true meaning behind the phrase "crippled shaman."

While personal reasons may underlie their fixation on fortunetelling, shamanism and divination, their dependence on such practices exceeds what is typical, raising concerns.

"It's common for major politicians, especially presidential candidates, to engage in some superstitious practices. However, in the case of Yoon and Kim, the extent was unusually extreme," a political commentator, on the condition of anonymity, told The Korea Times. "Lacking prior political experience and suddenly ascending to the presidency appears to have driven them to overly focus on predicting the future, intensifying their reliance on superstition."

annajpark@koreatimes.co.kr 

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