Personal Information Protection Commission Chair: "Will Investigate and Take Action on Jeon Gwang-hoon's Unauthorized Personal Data Collection Controversy"

"Jeon Kwang-hoon Collects Extensive Personal Information at Rally"
Chairman Go Haksoo: "I Will Assess the Situation"
"Criminal Punishment Possible for Fraudulent Collection"

Goh Hak-su, Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission. Yonhap News Agency

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church stated that after voices arose claiming he excessively collected personal information from participants at the anti-impeachment rally for President Yoon Seok-yeol, Go Hak-soo, Chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission, said he would assess the situation and take necessary measures.

On the 19th, Kim Seung-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised concerns during the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee plenary session about Pastor Jeon collecting personal information by receiving various subscription and registration forms from attendees at the anti-impeachment rally in Gwanghwamun. Kim pointed out, "At the Gwanghwamun rally, Pastor Jeon is extensively collecting vehicle operation information, mobile phone usage status, and usage details by receiving applications for the missionary card subscription, regular subscription to the Free Daily Newspaper, and the budget phone company 'First Mobile,' which he is involved with."

According to the Personal Information Protection Act, the collection of personal information should be minimal and within the necessary purpose and scope. However, Kim stated that Pastor Jeon did not provide sufficient explanation to subscribers and obtained their consent to provide personal information to third parties, sharing it with his family company. First Mobile, a budget phone company launched in April 2023, is reportedly owned by Pastor Jeon's daughter, and Pastor Jeon holds 60% of the shares in the corporation operating the business.

In response, Chairman Go said, "I will look into the situation," and added, "If there is a problem under the Personal Information Protection Act, we will naturally take the necessary measures." He further noted, "If personal information is collected through fraudulent means, criminal punishment is also possible."

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church. Yonhap News

Earlier, the Korea Straightening Movement Headquarters (Daegukbon), led by Pastor Jeon, released a statement on the budget phone controversy on the 16th. They said, "Since the incitement of rebellion did not progress as expected, now they seem to be trying to disparage us by framing it as a money-making scheme," and added, "The Democratic Party of Korea is showing anxiety as the turnout for the candlelight rallies declines." They continued, "All the corporations criticized by the Democratic Party strictly comply with legal procedures and operate without any tax issues," and criticized, "If 500 subscriptions are recommended through First Mobile, a monthly business activation fee of 1 million KRW is paid for 10 years, and this is currently being received normally. Are they now trying to impeach even the marketing expenses?"

They also pointed out, "The bigger problem is that the people's hard-earned taxes are being used for the activities of left-leaning civic groups," stating, "According to the 2023 government audit results, among 6.8 trillion KRW paid to about 12,000 private organizations over the past three years, 1.1 trillion KRW worth of projects revealed 1,865 cases of fraud and corruption, and the amount of confirmed misuse so far has reached 31.4 billion KRW." Furthermore, they said, "It seems to be a big problem that the people's hard-earned taxes are being used for the activities of leftist groups with specific political purposes. The Democratic Party should try a special investigation they like," and emphasized, "We hope they break away from the communist mindset of abusing taxes and adopt constructive thinking based on liberal democracy and a market economy."

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