Jeon Gwang-hoon Requests Change in Bail Conditions... "Please Ease Contact and Assembly Restrictions"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, chairman of the Korea Christian Federation, requested the court to ease the conditions restricting contact with related parties and gatherings at the first trial held after his release on bail.

Jeon’s lawyer argued at the second preparatory hearing for the trial on charges including violation of the Public Official Election Act, held on the 11th at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Presiding Judge Heo Seon-ah), "Please impose the bail conditions as restrictively as possible to effectively guarantee the right to defense."

The lawyer added, "To give a practical example, Pastor Jeon has been giving Bible lectures to pastors as the chairman of the Korea Christian Federation," and "We would like to receive a clear confirmation that holding Bible lectures for pastors in May would not be problematic."

He also expressed the opinion that "(contact and gatherings) have been broadly restricted," and suggested, "Would it be possible for the court to specify not to meet certain people considered important witnesses?"

In response to this request from Jeon’s side, the court stated, "We will review it if a written opinion is submitted."

The court completed the preparatory procedures that day and decided to hold the first formal trial on the 29th of next month.

Pastor Jeon was released on bail by the court’s decision on the 20th of last month. At that time, the court imposed conditions prohibiting him from meeting or contacting any persons related to the trial by any means such as phone or email, and required him to appear at the time and place designated by the court.

Jeon was indicted on charges of preliminary electioneering for making several statements at rallies in Gwanghwamun Square ahead of the general election, urging support for the Liberty Korea Party and other right-wing parties in the 21st National Assembly election.

The prosecution also added defamation charges, stating that Jeon, who is also the general representative of the Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters (Beomtu-bon), damaged President Moon Jae-in’s reputation by making statements such as "The president is a spy" and "The president attempted to communistize the Republic of Korea" at the rallies.

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