Jeon Gwang-hoon "I think we must hold the Samiljeol rally"
Park Won-soon "Request to police to disperse the rally"
Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, president of the Korea Christian Federation, who sparked controversy by demanding the president's resignation, is delivering an opening address at a press conference held on the afternoon of June 11 last year at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, chairman of the Korea Christian Federation (HanKiChong), who is facing charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, was detained on the 24th. However, Pastor Jeon announced that he will hold another large-scale rally near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 1, making confusion inevitable. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon clearly stated his intention to disperse the rally.
Before his detention, Pastor Jeon appeared at the court at around 10:26 a.m. and completed the warrant hearing in about two hours by 12:34 p.m., then came out of the court.
He waved to his supporters who were waiting for him, showing a relaxed demeanor. Then, around 1 p.m., as he headed to the Jongno Police Station detention center in Seoul, he emphasized to reporters, "I think we must hold the March 1st rally."
He added, "Top experts, including doctors, have stated that there have been no infection cases at outdoor rallies, and this is also evident in clinical settings. Rather, indoor gatherings such as wedding halls or theaters should be restricted, and I believe there is no basis to block peaceful and leisurely rallies."
Earlier, Pastor Jeon said at the weekend rally of the 'National Struggle Headquarters for the Resignation of Moon Jae-in' (BeomTuBon), "We cannot continue the patriotic movement and the removal of President Moon Jae-in indefinitely. We must settle it at the March 1st rally next Saturday, the 29th."
Based on Pastor Jeon's remarks, it is expected that BeomTuBon will push ahead with a large-scale rally on Sunday, March 1. Accordingly, clashes with the Seoul city government are also inevitable.
Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, chairman of the Christian Council of Korea, who is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act, is answering questions from the press as he attends the pre-arrest detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the morning of the 24th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon appeared on KBS 1 Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 24th and criticized the BeomTuBon rally led by Pastor Jeon, saying, "I doubt whether Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who said 'Even if you catch (COVID-19), it's patriotism, and even if you had the disease, you recover,' is in a sound state of mind."
Regarding BeomTuBon's announcement of another large-scale rally on the 29th, he emphasized, "At the Seoul city level, according to the Infectious Disease Control Act, a fine of up to 3 million won can be imposed, so we will naturally file charges and impose fines."
About the rally participants, he said, "We will also request investigations into the participants," adding, "Since this alone has limitations, we plan to request the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to completely disperse the rally."
Meanwhile, Kim Dong-hyun, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, after conducting the pre-detention suspect interrogation (warrant hearing) for Pastor Jeon on the same day, issued the warrant around 10:50 p.m., stating, "The criminal charges are substantiated."
Judge Kim explained the reasons, saying, "This is a case where a person who is not allowed to campaign conducted continuous pre-election campaigning targeting a large audience ahead of the general election. Considering the significance of free and fair elections in a representative democracy, the case is serious, and strict punishment is expected. There is also a risk of flight."
Pastor Jeon is accused of conducting pre-election campaigning by urging support for the Liberty Unification Party and the Christian Liberty Party at BeomTuBon rallies and various other gatherings and discussions.
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