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Jeon Kwang-hoon, the pastor of Sarang Jeil Church who prosecutors say was behind the violent disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court and was subsequently arrested and indicted, attended a rally in Gwanghwamun while released on bail for medical treatment.
On the 25th at about 1:40 p.m., Jeon took the stage at a rally organized by the Korea Righting the Nation Movement (Daegukbon) in front of the Donghwa Duty Free store in Jongno, Seoul, and declared, “Gwanghwamun cannot exist without me.”
He added, “The Constitution of the Republic of Korea mandates peaceful unification within a liberal democratic order. The people are so dull that no matter how many times we shout, they won’t understand.” He then asked, “Do you want to be taken to North Korea?”
He dismissed those accused of rioting at the Western District Court as “people I don’t even know.”
“I’ve been jailed at Seoul Detention Center three times, but I was acquitted each time and received ₩60 million (about $45,000) in compensation from the Ministry of Justice,” he said. “I’m confident I’ll receive ₩30 million (about $22,500) in compensation in this case as well.”
Earlier, on the 7th, the court granted him bail, citing his need for periodic hospital treatment for a diabetes-related urological condition and the low flight risk given his widely known public profile.
The court imposed conditions on his release, including a ban on contacting seven people involved in the case. It did not, however, bar him from attending rallies.
On the 18th, Jeon made his first public appearance at a rally since his release on bail. At that event he said, “South Korea has already collapsed,” and added, “I have defended the 20-year Gwanghwamun movement because we must not hand the country over to North Korea.”
He is currently on trial on charges that include obstruction of official duties and incitement to damage public property.
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