Jeon Gwang-hoon Resumes Activities... "Nationwide Tour Sermons and Press Conferences Until March 1st"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act and other charges but was acquitted in the first trial and released, has resumed his activities in earnest.

Sarang Jeil Church announced that ahead of the March 1st online and offline national rally, Pastor Jeon will tour the country starting from the 18th, holding press conferences and delivering sermons. Pastor Jeon plans to begin at 10 a.m. in Gwangju, Jeollado on the 18th, and then tour cities nationwide including Daejeon on the 19th.

The day after he was acquitted and released, on the 31st of last year, he held a press conference in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where he criticized the government. At that time, Pastor Jeon said, "After hearing the verdict, I felt that God has not abandoned the Republic of Korea," adding, "Following the prosecution, the court has returned, and now the people are beginning to come back." He also repeatedly criticized President Moon Jae-in with remarks such as "destroying the Korea-US alliance" and "international isolation."

Sarang Jeil Church has announced plans to prepare for an online and offline national rally on March 1st, expecting participation from 10 million people, following the nationwide tour press conferences.

Previously, Pastor Jeon was indicted for pre-election campaigning after repeatedly urging support for right-wing conservative parties during prayer meetings at Gwanghwamun Square from early December 2019 to January last year, but he was acquitted on the 30th of last month. Pastor Jeon, who had been detained, was released following the not guilty verdict. The court also ruled not guilty on charges of defaming President Moon by statements such as "the president is a spy" and "the president attempted to communistize the Republic of Korea." The prosecution has filed an appeal against the first trial verdict.

Meanwhile, Pastor Jeon is under investigation by the prosecution for allegedly obstructing epidemiological investigations by submitting incomplete and concealed lists of church members after a cluster infection occurred at Sarang Jeil Church. Some analysts suggest that, based on the court's recent acquittal of Lee Man-hee, the leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, on charges of obstructing quarantine, Pastor Jeon may also receive a not guilty verdict.