[Exclusive] Prosecutors Request Court to Expedite Hearing on Jeon Gwang-hoon's Bail Revocation
[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] It was confirmed on the 4th that the prosecution submitted a written opinion to the court urging it to expedite the hearing to decide whether to revoke the bail of Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church.
According to the legal community on the same day, the Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kwon Sang-dae) submitted an opinion letter for the prompt hearing on the revocation of Pastor Jeon's bail to the presiding court, the Criminal Division 34 of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Heo Seon-ah), the day before. Since Pastor Jeon was discharged after treatment for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the prosecution requested the court to decide the direction of the hearing and make a prompt judgment. The prosecution had also submitted opinion letters on the 24th and 31st of last month emphasizing the necessity of revoking the bail.
The court may decide whether to revoke the bail based solely on the application submitted by the prosecution and the opinion letter submitted by Pastor Jeon's side. However, if the court deems direct questioning necessary, it can set a date to question Pastor Jeon and then make a decision. If the decision is made by reviewing only the documents, a conclusion can be reached at any time, but if a hearing is held, it is expected to take more time physically. No hearing date has been set yet. The court plans to soon finalize the method of the bail revocation hearing and decide whether to re-detain Pastor Jeon.
Pastor Jeon was indicted on charges of pre-election campaigning at gatherings in Gwanghwamun Square ahead of the 21st general election (violation of the Public Official Election Act) and defamation against President Moon Jae-in. He was arrested and indicted in March this year but was released on bail in April. At that time, the court attached the condition that "he must not participate in any gatherings or demonstrations that may be related to this case or illegal."
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However, Pastor Jeon attended a gathering in Gwanghwamun on the 15th of last month and even gave a speech without wearing a mask. In response, the prosecution applied for revocation of his bail on the 16th of last month, citing that Pastor Jeon violated the bail conditions by attending the Gwanghwamun gathering. The decision on the revocation of Pastor Jeon's bail was delayed as Pastor Jeon was diagnosed with COVID-19 the day after the prosecution's application. After being diagnosed, Pastor Jeon received isolation treatment at Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu and was discharged on the 2nd. Even immediately after his discharge, he held a press conference where he described the government's quarantine measures as a "fraud" and criticized President Moon.
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