"Jeon Gwang-hoon is a Prophet" Controversy over Extreme Right in People Power Party, Now Kim Ki-hyun

Jeon Gwang-hoon, Criticized for Offensive Remarks and Sexual Harassment of Followers
Kim Ki-hyun, Controversial Prophet Statements in the Past

The close relationship between the new leadership of the People Power Party and Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, known for his far-right religious views, has become a controversy. Previously, Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member, sparked controversy with remarks made at Pastor Jeon's worship service, and now past comments by party leader Kim Ki-hyun have resurfaced.

On the 12th, Supreme Council member Kim made remarks opposing the inclusion of the full spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the constitution during a worship service led by Pastor Jeon, adding, "I will carry out whatever the pastor wants," which drew heavy criticism. This was in response to Pastor Jeon's question, "If you make 200 seats for the People Power Party in next year's general election, what will the party do for me?" As the controversy grew, Kim apologized and expressed remorse via Facebook on the 14th.

Party leader Kim Ki-hyun dismissed Kim Jae-won's remarks as "personal opinions" and attempted to manage the situation. On the 14th, when asked about the issue, Kim said, "What Supreme Council member Kim said seems to be a personal opinion, and given the atmosphere and nature, I assume it was not a very serious occasion, but I think it was inappropriate."

However, Kim Ki-hyun himself became embroiled in controversy as his friendship with Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon was revealed. On the 8th, when the results of the People Power Party leadership election were announced, Pastor Jeon said during a worship service, "To share some behind-the-scenes stories, Kim said, 'Pastor, I will listen well to your words,' and called several times."

Kim's camp told JTBC, "It is true that there is a friendship with Pastor Jeon, but whether there were phone calls has not been confirmed."

Additionally, Kim's past remark comparing Pastor Jeon to the prophet Isaiah from the Old Testament has drawn renewed attention. In November 2019, when Kim was mayor of Ulsan, he attended a rally led by Pastor Jeon calling for the resignation of former President Moon Jae-in and said, "I think Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon is like the prophet Isaiah, who cries out against this wicked and dictatorial regime." A prophet is one who mediates between God and humans and conveys the will of heaven.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The remarks "I will carry out whatever the pastor wants" and "I will listen well to the pastor's words" by the two have raised concerns that some members of the new People Power Party leadership might be perceived as following Pastor Jeon's wishes.

There is also criticism of simply revealing a friendship with Pastor Jeon. While it is common for politicians ahead of elections to showcase ties with religious circles to gain voters' support, Pastor Jeon is a figure who has been criticized for past remarks such as "Jeolla Province people are communists" and sexual harassment of followers. In the 2019-2020 rallies, he made statements like "Moon Jae-in is a spy," leading to charges of defaming the president, but he was acquitted and released in December 2020.

Pastor Jeon, who seeks to politicize the church, currently leads the Liberty Unification Party. Recently, he has been promoting a strategy to secure 200 seats in next year's general election and encouraging his followers to join the People Power Party in a "People Power Party Occupation Movement."

The Democratic Party has been pouring out criticism. On the 14th, Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at a floor strategy meeting, "The first words of the new leadership were neither about people's livelihoods nor the economy. They were outrageous remarks that completely deny history and democracy," adding, "I will gather opinions within the party to see if Leader Kim is watching Pastor Jeon's eye, who supported him in this leadership election," changing his tone. He continued, "Looking at the people forming the Yoon Seok-youl government, it is hard to distinguish whether they are far-right YouTubers or those responsible for state affairs."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk also criticized on Facebook the same day, saying, "They say you can know a person by their friends," and asked, "Can we understand that some of the People Power Party leadership associate with Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who constantly makes all kinds of hateful and absurd remarks, and far-right YouTubers?"