'Election Law Violation' Jeon Gwang-hoon Faces First Formal Trial Today... Expected to Maintain Not Guilty Claim

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, President of the Korea Christian Federation Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, chairman of the Korea Christian Federation, will stand trial on the 29th for allegedly appealing for support of a specific political party at gatherings in Gwanghwamun.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 34 (Presiding Judge Heo Seon-ah) will hold the first trial session for Pastor Jeon, who has been indicted on charges including violation of the Public Official Election Act and defamation, on the morning of the same day.

Pastor Jeon was prosecuted for allegedly conducting preliminary election campaigning by repeatedly making statements at gatherings in Gwanghwamun Square from December 2 last year to January 21 this year, urging support for the Liberty Korea Party and other right-wing parties in the 21st National Assembly election.

He is also accused of defaming the president by making statements at the gatherings implying that "President Moon Jae-in is a spy and is attempting to turn South Korea into a communist state."

Pastor Jeon was indicted while in custody but was released on bail on April 20 and will face trial as an unrestrained defendant on this day.

At a previous preparatory hearing, Pastor Jeon's defense attorney denied all charges, stating, "It is true that the defendant made statements as alleged, but only a few were selectively edited from numerous remarks made by the defendant."

He also requested, "There were many issues in the police's evidence collection and investigation procedures. Please determine whether the investigation was lawful."

On this day, after Pastor Jeon's side presents specific opinions on the charges, two police officers from the Jongno Police Station in Seoul are scheduled to be questioned as witnesses.

Earlier, the court announced that it would conclude the arguments by the end of August and deliver a verdict before September 23, which marks six months since Pastor Jeon was indicted.

According to Article 270 of the Public Official Election Act, a verdict in election crime cases must be delivered within six months from the date the indictment is filed in the first trial.

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