Court Denies Bail Request Filed 3 Days After Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon’s Reincarceration

On the afternoon of the 7th, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who was re-incarcerated due to bail cancellation, is speaking to the press in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was re-arrested after his bail was revoked for violating bail conditions, had his re-applied bail request rejected by the court.

According to the legal community on the 18th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Presiding Judge Heo Seon-ah) dismissed Pastor Jeon's bail application submitted on the 10th without a separate hearing. Pastor Jeon was indicted on charges including violation of the Public Official Election Act.

Pastor Jeon was arrested and indicted in March on charges of conducting pre-election campaigning at gatherings in Gwanghwamun Square ahead of the 21st general election (violation of the Public Official Election Act) and defaming President Moon Jae-in.

He was released on bail on April 20, with the court attaching the condition that he must not participate in any gatherings or protests related to or illegal in connection with the case.

However, Pastor Jeon attended a gathering in Gwanghwamun on the 15th of last month and even gave a speech without wearing a mask.

Accordingly, the prosecution filed a motion to revoke his bail on the 16th of last month, citing that Pastor Jeon violated bail conditions by attending the Gwanghwamun gathering.

The decision on whether to revoke Pastor Jeon's bail was delayed as he was diagnosed with COVID-19 the day after the prosecution's motion.

After completing COVID-19 treatment and being discharged, the prosecution submitted a written opinion to the court requesting an expedited hearing for bail revocation, urging a swift decision on the direction of the hearing.

The court, without a separate hearing, revoked Pastor Jeon's bail and ordered his re-arrest on the 7th, 140 days after his release. Additionally, the court confiscated 30 million won out of the 50 million won deposit Pastor Jeon had posted at the time of the previous bail decision.