Yejang Tonghap and Hapdong Fail to Discuss Jeon Gwang-hoon Heresy Due to Online Issues
Gosin and Hapshin to Discuss on 22nd... Similar Situation Possible
Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who was treated for COVID-19 and discharged, is attending a press conference held on the 2nd in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, wearing a mask pulled up. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] As the regular general meetings of major Protestant denominations in Korea have begun in earnest, attention is focused on whether a judgment on Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church will be made. The two major Protestant denominations, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Hapdong) and the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap), held their general meetings the day before but postponed the decision without reaching a conclusion.
According to the Protestant community on the 22nd, following the general meetings of Hapdong and Tonghap the previous day, the Presbyterian denominations Baekseok, Hapshin, Koshin, and Gaehyeok are holding their respective general meetings today. The Koshin Committee on Heresy Countermeasures studied the heresy of Pastor Jeon and the Christian Council of Korea (Han Ki-chong) for a year and classified him as a heresy supporter. Based on this, Koshin plans to submit an agenda item to the general meeting to discuss whether to designate him as heretical. Hapshin also submitted an agenda to classify Pastor Jeon and Han Ki-chong as heresy and heresy-supporting organizations, respectively.
If Pastor Jeon is designated as heretical or as a heresy supporter at these general meetings, his future activities within the church community are expected to be significantly curtailed. There is also speculation that a departure atmosphere may be triggered among the members of Sarang Jeil Church. Each denomination issues heresy rulings, but aside from measures such as prohibiting fellowship, there is no practical way to regulate the activities of specific individuals or churches. It only has symbolic meaning as being expelled from the church community. Some argue that this could rather serve as an opportunity to strengthen cohesion among existing members.
Originally, Hapdong and Tonghap planned to address the heresy judgment on Pastor Jeon as a major agenda item at their general meetings the day before. However, the online meetings did not proceed smoothly, and the agenda was not processed. There were issues such as disconnections in video links and communication failures. Ultimately, Hapdong decided to determine Pastor Jeon’s heresy status at the next executive meeting, while Tonghap decided to conduct a one-year study on heresy and make a conclusion afterward. Since the other denominations’ general meetings are also scheduled to be held online, similar situations may arise.
Meanwhile, Pastor Jeon is increasingly cornered as the Seoul Metropolitan Government filed a lawsuit seeking 4.62 billion won in damages against Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon for responsibility in the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Sarang Jeil Church has announced that it will respond with a counterclaim to Seoul’s lawsuit. Pastor Jeon, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and discharged on the 2nd, was re-incarcerated at Seoul Detention Center on the 7th, 140 days after being released on bail following the court’s decision to revoke his bail.
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