Jeon Gwang-hoon "Government oppresses churches... Will stage sit-in demanding Blue House president's resignation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the head pastor of Sarang Jeil Church who held a large-scale conservative rally demanding the resignation of President Moon Jae-in, has protested by stating he will stage a sit-in in front of the Blue House, criticizing the government and the president as the demolition enforcement on the church due to redevelopment continues.

On the 24th, Pastor Jeon held a press conference at Sarang Jeil Church located in Jangwi-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, claiming that the government is oppressing him and Sarang Jeil Church. He said, "As the people rise up against the fraudulent election, the government is trying to divert attention by bringing up the Sarang Jeil Church issue," adding, "Starting today, I will set up a vinyl tent in front of the Blue House and carry out a 24-hour protest demanding the president's resignation."

Pastor Jeon asserted, "Sarang Jeil Church holds legitimate possession rights through five organizations including the Korea Righting Movement Headquarters," and claimed, "The enforcement officers did not properly investigate the possession areas before carrying out the demolition enforcement."

They raised their voices in condemnation, stating that excessive violence occurred during the demolition enforcement process. Pastor Jeon said, "About 600 security personnel mobilized by the enforcement officers inflicted serious violence on the church members," and added, "We will sue all the officials and violent actors who tacitly allowed and implicitly ordered the innocent violence to run rampant, and hold the state accountable for compensation."

The Jangwi 10 District Redevelopment Association attempted to enforce the demolition of Sarang Jeil Church on the 5th and 22nd of this month but failed due to strong resistance from the church members.

The redevelopment association, as the real estate rights holder, won the demolition lawsuit against Sarang Jeil Church last month and can carry out forced enforcement. A demolition lawsuit is a legal action where the real estate rights holder demands the occupant to vacate the property.

Lee Seong-hee, a lawyer representing Sarang Jeil Church, argued, "It is not the church but the association that is holding out," and claimed, "The church building's compensation is evaluated at 4.4 billion won, and the land taken from our church is being sold to another church for 27 billion won, aiming to gain about 22 billion won in profit."

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