청 "We Will Show That Public Authority Is Alive" Threatens Jeon Gwang-hoon Over 'Martyrdom' Remarks

Cheong Wa Dae "There Must Be Limits to Blaming the Victim"
Jeon Gwang-hoon Fiercely Criticizes "Government's Quarantine Is a Fraud"
"If the People Are Continually Deceived, They Will Risk Their Lives in a Month"

The view of Cheongwadae from Namsan, Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Blue House stated on the 2nd that it will demonstrate that public authority is still alive in response to Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church calling the government's quarantine measures a 'fraud' and criticizing President Moon Jae-in.

A senior Blue House official told reporters that day, "There should be limits even to shamelessness," expressing this stance.

He said, "There have already been over 1,000 confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church," adding, "The backlash and damage caused by spreading baseless conspiracy theories and obstructing rather than cooperating with the government's quarantine measures are enormous."

He continued, "As social distancing measures have been strengthened, law-abiding citizens are closing their shops, crying, or sighing," and "Other pastors who have practiced neighborly love are also suffering huge damages."

He also stated, "At the very least, Jeon Gwang-hoon should have a remorseful heart, if not reflect on his actions."

The senior Blue House official emphasized, "President Moon Jae-in has already instructed to 'show that public authority is alive,'" and "I remind you of this once again."

Meanwhile, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon held a press conference in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Jangwi-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, that morning, claiming, "(The government) tried to pin the entire 'Wuhan virus' on us (the church) and stage a fraud, but failed thanks to the wise judgment of the people."

Appearing with a bright expression while wearing a mask, Pastor Jeon opened by saying, "I apologize for causing you much concern through me and our church," then spent about six minutes criticizing President Moon throughout his remarks.

He claimed, "I am not a politician or social activist but one of the prophets leading the Korean church," and "I will observe for a month, but if President Moon continues deceiving the people with state denial and false peaceful unification, I will risk my life starting a month from now. I am prepared to be a martyr."

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