Police Apply for Arrest Warrant for Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon... Accused of Violating Public Official Election Act

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The police have requested an arrest warrant for Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the representative chairman of the Korea Christian Federation, on charges of preliminary electioneering.

On the 18th, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul applied for an arrest warrant for Pastor Jeon on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, and on the 20th, it was reported that the prosecution had submitted this to the court. Pastor Jeon was reported by the Protestant-affiliated civic group Peace Tree for allegedly appealing for support for a specific political party at gatherings in Gwanghwamun ahead of the April general elections.

The Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission also filed a complaint against Pastor Jeon at the end of December last year for violating the Public Official Election Act. The police have been investigating these combined complaints. Pastor Jeon's pre-arrest detention hearing is scheduled for the 21st.

In addition to the Public Official Election Act violation charges, Pastor Jeon is under police investigation for about ten other charges, including violations of the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations.