"'Affordable phone promotion controversy' Jeon Gwang-hoon: 'Candlelight rally turnout is weak, so it's a money-making frame... No problem'"

Promotion of Budget Phone at Rally Led by Jeon Gwang-hoon
Jeon's Daughter Is the Actual Owner... Some Raise 'Money-Making' Controversy
"Complying with Legal Procedures... Are They Trying to Impeach Even Marketing?"

When criticism arose over a promotional booth for a budget phone company set up at a rally organized by the Korea Reestablishment Movement Headquarters (Daegukbon), led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, Daegukbon issued a rebuttal. On the 16th, Daegukbon stated, "Since the incitement of rebellion has not progressed as expected, it seems they are now trying to disparage us by framing it as a money-making scheme," adding, "The Democratic Party of Korea is showing anxiety as turnout at the candlelight rallies declines."

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at the nationwide Sunday joint worship held on Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, it was revealed that at an anti-impeachment rally for President Yoon Seok-yeol organized by Daegukbon, budget phone carrier 'First Mobile,' associated with Pastor Jeon's church and family, was promoting card sign-ups and other services. First Mobile, a budget phone company launched in April 2023, is reportedly owned by Pastor Jeon's daughter. Pastor Jeon is understood to hold a 60% stake in the corporation operating the budget phone business. This has led some to criticize him, calling it a 'patriotic coin' and accusing him of profiting from the anti-impeachment rallies.

Daegukbon argued, "If conducting business while dealing with political issues is considered 'bad money-making,' then isn't Kim Eo-jun a 'kingpin of money-making'?" They claimed, "According to data released in 2022, Kim Eo-jun's company recorded annual sales of 14.4 billion KRW. Even when combined, conservative YouTubers do not reach Kim Eo-jun's monthly revenue level." They added, "In this context, the Democratic Party's claims are sheer hypocrisy."

They continued, "All corporations criticized by the Democratic Party strictly comply with legal procedures and operate without any tax issues," stating, "If 500 activations are recommended through First Mobile, a monthly business activation fee of 1 million KRW is paid for 10 years, and these payments are currently being received normally. Are they now trying to impeach even the marketing expenses?"

Furthermore, they pointed out, "The bigger problem is that citizens’ hard-earned tax money is being used for activities of left-leaning civic groups," noting, "According to a government audit in 2023, among 6.8 trillion KRW disbursed to about 12,000 private organizations over the past three years, 1,865 cases of fraud and corruption were identified in projects worth 1.1 trillion KRW, with confirmed misused funds amounting to 31.4 billion KRW."

They added, "Particularly, tax misuse by left-leaning civic groups has been prominently exposed," and said, "It seems a major problem that citizens’ hard-earned tax money is used for activities of leftist groups with specific political agendas. The Democratic Party should try a special investigation, which they favor."

They also stated, "We hope they move away from a communist mindset that abuses taxes and adopt constructive thinking based on a free democratic market economy," adding, "Instead of framing us negatively to keep people away, they should focus more on promoting their own rallies."