Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon Sent to Prosecution on Charges of Violating Public Official Election Act

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-gi] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, chairman of the Korea Christian Federation, who is accused of appealing for support for a specific political party at rallies, has been handed over to the prosecution while in custody.

On the 4th, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul sent Pastor Jeon, who was detained on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. Around 7:30 a.m., Pastor Jeon, handcuffed as he left the detention center, was asked if he acknowledged the charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, to which he replied, "I do not acknowledge them at all." Regarding the rejection of his detention review, he said, "This is a code trial. A code trial."

Pastor Jeon is accused of repeatedly conducting pre-election campaigning before a large audience ahead of the 21st National Assembly general election scheduled for the 15th of next month. He was reported to the Protestant civic group 'Pyeonghwa Namu' for appealing for support for the Christian Liberty Party and the Liberty Unification Party. The Seoul Election Commission also filed a complaint against Pastor Jeon in December last year for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Pastor Jeon was sentenced to six months in prison with a two-year probation in 2018 for violating the Public Official Election Act, which prohibits him from engaging in election campaigning.

Pastor Jeon was detained by the police on the 24th of last month. His side filed a request for a detention review claiming the detention was unjust, but the court dismissed it, stating, "It is recognized that detention should continue."

The police are also reportedly planning to complete the investigation soon into Pastor Jeon's other charges, including violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Act on the Regulation of Solicitation of Donations.

Meanwhile, the Jongno Police Station also sent Ko Young-il, leader of the Christian Liberty Party, who was reported along with Pastor Jeon on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment on the same day.

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