Cheon Haram: "The Problem Is the Ruling Party Atmosphere That Allows Jeon Gwang-hoon to Run Amok"

Cheon Haram, the chairman of the People Power Party's Suncheon Gap district in Jeonnam, commented on Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, saying, "We should be able to laugh at Pastor Jeon talking about the ruling party's operations or nominations," adding, "However, since a senior supreme council member of the ruling party is venerating him as the 'unifier of the nation,' it creates a sense of unease."

Earlier, Kim Jae-won, a supreme council member of the People Power Party, faced criticism after stating at a lecture hosted by the North America Freedom Defense Alliance in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on the 25th (local time), "There were not many people in the right-wing camp who acted and were active, but Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon has unified the entire right-wing camp, and nowadays Gwanghwamun has become a stage for activities opposing both the right-wing camp and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions."

On the 3rd, Cheon appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "He is originally someone who consistently makes such absurd remarks," pointing out, "The issue is whether or not the atmosphere allows Pastor Jeon to run wild."

Cheon stated, "The ruling party should make those who make extreme claims and appear ridiculous to the public even more laughable," adding, "We must not cause the public to worry that this will genuinely influence the ruling party's operations." He continued, "Just thinking rationally, how could we possibly vote for a party related to Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon?"

Cheon Haram, Chairman of the People Power Party Jeonnam Suncheon Gap District Committee.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Regarding Pastor Jeon's influence within the party, Cheon analyzed, "It seems he actually holds some control over party members." He pointed out the rules of the last party convention, saying, "It may not be in the tens of thousands, but I believe Pastor Jeon can influence at least more than 10,000 party members."

This analysis suggests that Pastor Jeon's influence within the party grew as a side effect of the last party convention being conducted with 100% party member voting. Ahead of the March 8 People Power Party convention, Pastor Jeon had conducted a 'People Power Party Occupation Movement,' encouraging his followers to join the party.

He argued that the party's member management system needs to be revised ahead of the general election. Cheon said, "When party members join at the local level, no one actually verifies whether the member lives in that area," explaining, "While the members Pastor Jeon controls may not be significant nationwide, if they collectively join a specific district in Daegu to support Kim Jae-won, it could shake up the primary election."

He added, "If the party's member management system is not overhauled as a whole, the party could be dragged around by a few troublemakers, leading to the worst possible outcome," emphasizing, "This is a point that requires deep consideration."

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