Jun Kwanghoon Sent Home After Two-Hour Police Investigation Due to Chronic Illness (Comprehensive)

Claims “No Involvement in Western District Court Incident”

Pastor Jun Kwanghoon of Sarang Jeil Church, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the riot at the Seoul Western District Court, was released and sent home on November 18 after a brief police investigation.

Yonhap News Agency

The Security Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned Pastor Jun as a suspect around 10 a.m. that day on charges including instigating unlawful entry into a special building and inciting obstruction of official duties.

Pastor Jun left the building in a pre-parked white car at around 12:40 p.m., just over two hours after arriving. It was reported that Pastor Jun requested to end the investigation due to a chronic illness known as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, which causes the spinal ligaments to harden like bone. The police plan to summon Pastor Jun again for further questioning.

Just before appearing for questioning, Pastor Jun told reporters, "The incident at the Western District Court has nothing to do with us," adding, "Even at the protest the day before the incident, the host instructed everyone not to go onto the roadway and not to clash with the police."

The police have continued their investigation, identifying Pastor Jun as the instigator behind the violent disturbance at the Western District Court on January 18. He is accused of using religious influence to exert psychological control (gaslighting), providing funds to close associates and conservative YouTubers, and inciting the incident.