"Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon's Arrest Warrant Dismissed, Amen!" 'Taegukgi Unit' Cheers

Reverend Jeon’s Arrest Warrant Dismissed, Taegeukgi Revolution Civil Movement Headquarters Members Welcome

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, chairman of the Korea Christian Federation (Han Ki Chong), who was accused of leading illegal and violent acts at the rally held at Gwanghwamun on National Foundation Day last year, waved to his supporters as he left Jongno Police Station in Seoul on the evening of the 2nd after his arrest warrant was dismissed.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 2nd, the arrest warrant for Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon (64), the overall representative of the 'Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters' (Beomtu-bon), who was indicted for leading violence at the National Foundation Day (October 3) rally last year, was dismissed. Members of the 'Taegukgi Revolutionary Civil Movement Headquarters' (Gukbon), who support former President Park Geun-hye, expressed their approval. Some members posted "Amen!" welcoming Pastor Jeon's dismissal.

On the 3rd, members of the 'Gukbon' online cafe posted messages welcoming the dismissal of Pastor Jeon's warrant. One member said, "Pastor Jeon and Pastor Lee's warrants have been dismissed. Police officers, please work for the people! Thank God! Amen."

Previously, some Gukbon members expressed support for Pastor Jeon's rally, describing it as a 'patriotic rally.' One member said, "I support Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon's patriotic rally," adding, "I am afraid that the cynical attitudes of some Christian pastors toward Pastor Jeon and the frustration and slight jealousy among leaders of various existing Taegukgi patriotic rally groups, due to not achieving their intended goals, might hold Pastor Jeon back."

Gukbon Online Cafe. Photo by Gukbon Capture

Gukbon plans to hold a rally on the upcoming weekend, the 4th, in front of Daehanmun at Deoksugung, Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul. At this rally, they are expected to advocate for △ the return of former President Park Geun-hye △ strengthening the Korea-US alliance △ protecting the free Republic of Korea. Pastors will participate and hold a 'National Salvation Prayer Meeting' for about an hour during the rally.

Meanwhile, on the previous day (the 2nd), Judge Song Kyung-ho, head of the warrant division at the Seoul Central District Court, after conducting the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant substantive examination) for Pastor Jeon, dismissed the arrest warrant, stating, "At this stage, it is difficult to recognize the grounds, necessity, or substantiality of detention."

Judge Song explained, "Considering the progress and methods of the rally, the extent to which Pastor Jeon specifically ordered or was involved in illegal acts at the rally site, as well as the progress of the investigation and evidence collection."

On the morning of the 2nd, Jeon Gwang-hoon, pastor and president of the Korea Christian Federation and general representative of the National Struggle Headquarters for the Resignation of Moon Jae-in (Beomtu-bon), who is accused of leading violent acts at a conservative group's rally in Gwanghwamun last October, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu for a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Pastor Jeon, who waited for the warrant substantive examination results at the Seoul Jongno Police Station detention center, left the police station around 11 p.m. after being notified of the warrant dismissal, receiving cheers from supporters.

When asked by reporters whether he would continue holding rallies, Pastor Jeon replied, "Of course, I will."

Pastor Jeon and others are under investigation for allegedly leading illegal acts (violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and obstruction of official duties) at a conservative group's rally held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on National Foundation Day, October 3, last year.

At that rally, some participants assaulted police officers who tried to block their march toward the Blue House, broke through barricades, and engaged in violence, resulting in about 40 people being arrested on the spot.

The police reported that Pastor Jeon and others formed an organization called the 'Sacrificial Corps' and planned and led illegal acts such as preparing to enter the Blue House. They applied for their arrest warrants on the 26th of last month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.