'Seoul Western District Court Riot Incitement' Pastor Kwanghoon Jeon: "I Wasn't Even Aware of the Incident"

Pastor Kwanghoon Jeon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was brought to trial on charges of inciting the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court building immediately after the arrest of former President Yoon Suk-yeol in January last year, has completely denied all charges.

Pastor Kwanghoon Jeon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was indicted and detained for being behind the commotion at Seoul Western District Court but was released on bail, is speaking in front of the court in Mapo-gu before attending the trial held at Seoul Western District Court on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News

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On April 17, Judge Park Ji-won, the presiding judge of Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Western District Court, held the second hearing for Pastor Jeon, who was indicted on charges including incitement to obstruct the performance of official duties and obstruction of general traffic. Pastor Jeon was sent to trial in custody on February 3 this year, but was released on bail on the 7th and is now being tried without detention.

Pastor Jeon was prosecuted on charges of encouraging his supporters to break into the Seoul Western District Court building, destroy fixtures, and assault police officers in the early morning of January 19 last year, right after former President Yoon was arrested. Prosecutors believe that Pastor Jeon incited the disturbance by making remarks to Sarang Jeil Church congregants and Gwanghwamun rally participants, saying that 'anti-state forces must be punished through the right of popular resistance.'

In court that day, Pastor Jeon denied the charges, saying, "I wasn't even aware that the incident had occurred." He stated, "After making remarks about the right of resistance the day before the incident, I went to sleep at 3 a.m. and knew nothing of what happened afterwards. I neither directed nor ordered anything at the scene." He added, "I learned of the incident belatedly through YouTube while in Yeongjongdo, Jung-gu, Incheon. I heard that about 100 people broke in-how could I have instructed all of them?"

Meanwhile, prosecutors submitted a written opinion stating that Pastor Jeon's remarks during a video service held on April 12 after his release on bail could potentially violate his bail conditions. In response, Pastor Jeon's attorney argued, "It is not a violation since it is impossible to contact the individuals who are in custody." The court said it would carefully review whether there was a violation of bail conditions.

The next hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on May 22.

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