Thousands Gather at '3.1 Jeol Prayer Meeting' Led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon in Election Campaign Style

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The People’s Revolutionary Party, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, held a prayer meeting around Gwanghwamun on March 1st.

The People’s Revolutionary Party held the "March 1st 10 Million Prayer Meeting" along with the campaign rally of candidate Gu Bon-cheol, who is running in the by-election for the National Assembly in Jongno-gu, at Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, starting around 11 a.m. that day. It was estimated that more than 3,000 people gathered at the event. Under current quarantine guidelines, gatherings are limited to 299 people, but Pastor Jeon’s side reported the event as a campaign rally, which has no limit on the number of participants, so there is no way to sanction the prayer meeting.

The police deployed about 1,500 personnel from 19 riot squads around Gwanghwamun to prepare for any unexpected situations. The gathering proceeded without any major clashes, and it was confirmed that no one was arrested or booked by the police. Earlier, Seoul Police Chief Choi Kwan-ho stated at a press briefing the day before, "If the March 1st gathering, which is permitted as a campaign rally, is changed to a prayer meeting, we will take action in principle."

A Seoul city official said, "Campaign rallies are under the jurisdiction of the city and district offices, but we are currently reviewing applying charges for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act regarding the prayer meeting held afterward."

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