Jeon Gwang-hoon Claims "Right of Resistance Above Constitution... Can Bring Yoon Out"

by Koo Nari

Published 19 Jan.2025 19:57(KST)

Updated 20 Jan.2025 15:14(KST)

"He Must Be Tempered to Properly Fulfill His Mission"

Some supporters opposing the arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol stormed into the Seoul Western District Court, while Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church mentioned the 'people's right to resist.'

On the morning of the 19th, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at the nationwide Sunday joint worship in Gwanghwamun on Sejong-daero near Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 19th, Yonhap News reported that Pastor Jeon claimed at the 'National Sunday Joint Worship' held in front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop in Gwanghwamun, "The people's right to resist has already been activated, and the people's right to resist is above the constitution." Pastor Jeon also stated, "Ten million people must gather this Saturday (for the rally)," and "Since the people's right to resist has been activated, we can bring President Yoon out of the detention center."

Regarding President Yoon's arrest, Pastor Jeon said, "It's okay. He needs to be arrested at least once," adding, "Former Presidents Rhee Syngman and Park Chung-hee were also arrested. They need to be tempered in prison to properly carry out their final second-term duties." He further stated, "If President Yoon's martial law had succeeded, he would have been arrogant to the ends of the sky, saying 'I did it,'" and "God imprisoning President Yoon is giving us and Gwanghwamun an opportunity."

According to unofficial police estimates, about 6,000 people gathered at this rally. Pastor Jeon announced that after the rally ended in the afternoon, he would depart for the United States to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump.

On the 19th, after President Yoon Seok-yeol was arrested on charges of being a leader of an insurrection, some of his supporters broke into the Seoul Western District Court, causing an illegal violent incident. Inside the Western District Court, an office and its furnishings were damaged in the afternoon. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, President Yoon, who is accused of 'leading a rebellion' by declaring emergency martial law on December 3rd, was arrested in the early morning of the 19th. Some supporters of President Yoon gathered in front of the Western District Court, and upon hearing the news of the arrest warrant issuance, climbed over the back gate fence of the court. They threw stones to break windows and entered the court building. During this process, clashes occurred with police officers and reporters. So far, 87 people have been arrested by the police on charges of illegal activities related to this incident.

Meanwhile, some far-right YouTubers held a press conference in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, where the presidential residence is located, in the afternoon, urging, "Stop the coercive investigation against the 'patriotic citizens' incited by some violent participants at the Western District Court rally and call for their prompt release," adding, "Strong judicial procedures are expected to follow, but the main instigators who incited the violent protests, not the incited citizens, must be rooted out."