Who is Kang Yeon-jae, from 'Hong Jun-pyo Kids' to 'Jeon Kwang-hoon’s Daughter'?

Spokesperson Role Including Reading Jeon Gwang-hoon's Statement
Expressed Friendship in Past YouTube Broadcast... "A Father-like Figure Given to Me"
Political Connections Through People’s Party and Liberty Korea Party

On the morning of the 21st, at a press conference denouncing the fake quarantine martial law of the Moon Jae-in administration held in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, lawyer Kang Yeon-jae, the attorney of Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, is speaking. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Interest is growing in lawyer Kang Yeon-jae, who has taken on the role of defense attorney for Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred. Lawyer Kang has been acting as a spokesperson, reading out Pastor Jeon's statements, and has also announced legal actions against the Seoul Metropolitan Government and quarantine authorities on behalf of Pastor Jeon.

On the 21st, at a press conference held at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Lawyer Kang conveyed Pastor Jeon's position. On that day, he said, "The evil Moon Jae-in and the pro-North Korean faction are using me (Pastor Jeon) and our congregation as scapegoats to suppress and avoid the people's resistance," adding, "At times like this, we must exercise our right to resist and comfort and encourage each other even more."

He continued, "Immediately after the August 15 rally ended, they declared a political martial law under the pretext of quarantine, forcibly conducted tests, and imposed illegal isolation even on those who tested negative," asserting, "Seeing them recklessly disregard the law by using COVID-19 as an excuse, the end is not far off."

On the same day, Lawyer Kang also announced legal responses to the on-site investigations by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and quarantine authorities on behalf of Pastor Jeon. Kang stated, "I received a letter of request for cooperation in the epidemiological investigation from the Seoul Metropolitan Government on-site, but I was not a subject of the epidemiological investigation," adding, "However, Seoul insisted on the need to suppress the church at all costs, and the police attempted to enter by dragging innocent citizens out."

He further declared, "We will file a complaint against the Seoul city officials who directed the scene and Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop for violation of the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts, and hold them criminally responsible for illegal occupation of the church and infringement of private property."

After the press conference, Lawyer Kang gave an interview to a YouTube channel, defending Pastor Jeon and Sarang Jeil Church while sharply criticizing the government. He raised his voice, saying, "(The government) seems determined to politically destroy Pastor Jeon completely," and "Even so, if it is a state agency, shouldn't it abide by the law? Are they lying to the people?"

On the afternoon of the 20th, Lawyer Kang is talking with officials from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Seoul City, who came out for epidemiological investigation at the entrance of Sarang Jeil Church, where many COVID-19 confirmed cases occurred. / Photo by Yonhap News

Lawyer Kang, who faithfully serves as the messenger for Pastor Jeon and Sarang Jeil Church, is said to have a close relationship with Pastor Jeon. A past video uploaded on the YouTube channel 'Neomanmolla TV,' operated by Pastor Jeon's side, shows a scene where Pastor Jeon and Lawyer Kang confirm their friendship.

In this video uploaded on December 18 last year, Pastor Jeon preaches to pastors gathered in a large auditorium. At that time, Pastor Jeon said, "I am trying to bring back people in their 30s and 40s from Satan," introducing Lawyer Kang as one of the best players he scouted. He expressed intimacy by saying about Lawyer Kang, "He agreed to be like a son-in-law to my daughter."

Standing next to Pastor Jeon on stage, Lawyer Kang said, "Recently, for various reasons, I earnestly prayed to be given just one truly precious person to guide me," adding, "Not long after, I was given Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who is like a father to me, which cannot be explained except as God's work. For the first time since I was born, I am listening to a sermon with trembling and joy."

Meanwhile, Lawyer Kang, originally from Daegu, completed the Judicial Research and Training Institute (34th class) in 2005 and worked as a lawyer before becoming known to the public through TV appearances. Later, he ran as a candidate for the People's Party in Gangdong District, Seoul, in the 20th general election in 2016 but was defeated. In the 19th presidential election, he was considered a figure in the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, serving as deputy head of the TV debate team for then People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo's central election campaign headquarters.

However, in July 2017, he left the People's Party and, in January of the following year, became a legal special advisor to Hong Joon-pyo, then leader of the Liberty Korea Party, earning the nickname 'Hong Joon-pyo Kid.'

Most recently, he applied for the nomination of the United Future Party in the 21st general election (Daegu Buk District) but was cut off.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Kang has been embroiled in several controversies over his strong remarks.

After losing a by-election as a Liberty Korea Party candidate in 2018, he wrote on social media, "A word to the Democratic Party, which is acting recklessly in the wrong place," strongly criticizing, "The Moon Jae-in government is turning the rule of law into a rag," sparking controversy.

In the same year, when Ha Tae-kyung and Lee Jun-seok, then Supreme Council members of the Bareunmirae Party, criticized former leader Hong, Kang responded, "In normal society, he would have been slapped at least once," which also caused a controversy over his remarks.