"Accountability Needed," "Self-Inflicted" - Ruling Party Welcomes Jeon Gwang-hoon's Re-Imprisonment

Jeon Gwang-hoon Reincarcerated After 140 Days Following Court Bail Revocation on the 7th
"Law Enforcement in Accordance with Common Sense," "No One to Blame," Ruling Party Welcomes Court Decision

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who is being re-incarcerated due to the cancellation of bail, is speaking to the press in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu on the afternoon of the 7th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church was re-incarcerated on the 7th following the court's decision to revoke his bail. The Democratic Party of Korea strongly urged strict legal punishment, insisting that "strong responsibility must be held for Pastor Jeon's illegal actions."

Choi In-ho, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, released a written statement that afternoon, saying, "Pastor Jeon violated the conditions of his bail and attended the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally," adding, "Pastor Jeon obstructed quarantine efforts by preventing believers from undergoing diagnostic tests with false information, and immediately after being discharged following treatment, he criticized the government by calling it a fraud and martyrdom drama."

He continued, "As of yesterday (the 6th), the number of confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church has reached 1,156, and the secondary infections originating from Sarang Jeil Church have spread nationwide."

He emphasized, "Starting with this bail revocation decision, strong legal responsibility must be imposed for Pastor Jeon's illegal acts," and added, "We must ensure that antisocial behaviors and illegal acts that threaten the lives and safety of the people no longer occur."

Shin Dong-geun, a senior member of the Democratic Party, said on the same day, "We welcome the court's decision to revoke Pastor Jeon's bail," and added, "We are relieved that law enforcement has been carried out in accordance with public common sense, even at this late stage."

On the same day, Jeong Cheong-rae, a lawmaker from the same party, shared news of Pastor Jeon's re-incarceration on his Facebook, stating, "Jeon Gwang-hoon deserves both his arrest under the election law and his re-incarceration due to bail revocation," and remarked, "Who can he blame?"

He further urged, "There are still people who have not come to their senses and are inciting the October 3 National Foundation Day rally," and called for "repentance and reform."

On the afternoon of the 15th of last month, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, the court accepted the prosecution's request and decided to revoke Pastor Jeon's bail. This decision came 140 days after Pastor Jeon was released on bail on April 20.

The court explained the reason for revoking the bail, stating, "There is a reason to violate the designated condition under Article 102, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act." Additionally, 30 million won out of the 50 million won bail bond posted by Pastor Jeon was confiscated.

Previously, Pastor Jeon was indicted in March this year on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act by conducting pre-election campaigning at rallies in Gwanghwamun Square ahead of the 21st general election, and for defaming President Moon Jae-in. He was released on bail while awaiting trial.

When granting bail at that time, the court imposed conditions including residence restrictions, a pledge not to destroy evidence, and a ban on contacting parties related to the case. Notably, one of the conditions was "not to participate in any rallies or demonstrations that may be related to the case or illegal."

However, Pastor Jeon attended a conservative group-led rally held in Gwanghwamun on the 15th of last month. Subsequently, the prosecution applied for bail revocation on the 16th, citing that Pastor Jeon violated the bail conditions.

But Pastor Jeon was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the following day, the 17th, and was transferred to Seoul Medical Center for hospitalization and treatment, delaying the decision on whether to revoke his bail. Pastor Jeon was discharged on the 2nd.

Meanwhile, according to multiple media reports on the same day, Pastor Jeon expressed his intention to appeal while being transferred to Seoul Detention Center, claiming that "people are detained by a single order from the president."

However, even if Pastor Jeon's side appeals the bail revocation decision on the same day, his detention will continue until the court issues a ruling on the appeal.

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