Jeon Kwang Hoon, Released on Bail, Takes the Stage at Gwanghwamun Rally: "The Republic of Korea Has Already Collapsed"

by Lee Jungyun

Published 18 Apr.2026 16:56(KST)

Pastor Kwang-Hoon Jeon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was identified as the mastermind behind the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court and was released on bail after being indicted in custody, is speaking in front of the court in Mapo-gu before attending the trial at the Seoul Western District Court on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News

Pastor Kwang Hoon Jeon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was identified as the mastermind behind the violent disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court and was indicted in custody before being released on bail, attended a rally in Gwanghwamun.

At around 3:30 p.m. on April 18, Pastor Jeon took the stage at a rally organized by the National Movement for Restoring the Republic of Korea (Daegukbon), held in front of the Donghwa Duty-Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

He asserted, "The Republic of Korea has already collapsed," and claimed, "I have maintained the Gwanghwamun movement for 20 years because we must not hand the country over to North Korea." After speaking for about three minutes, Pastor Jeon stepped down from the stage.

This was the first time Pastor Jeon had personally appeared at a rally since being released on bail. Previously, on April 12, he made an appearance via video at a weekend worship service in Gwanghwamun Square.

On April 7, the court granted bail to Pastor Jeon under conditions including a ban on contacting seven individuals related to the case, taking into account that he requires regular hospital treatment for a urological condition caused by diabetes, and that his widely known face makes him unlikely to flee. However, there was no restriction on attending rallies.

Pastor Jeon was indicted in February on charges of inciting his supporters to break into the Seoul Western District Court, destroy property, and assault police officers in the early morning of January 19, 2025, immediately after the arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Meanwhile, YouTuber Han Gil Jeon (real name Yu Gwan Jeon) was also present at the rally. Although an arrest warrant was requested for Jeon on charges of defaming President Lee Jae Myung and Innovation Party leader Lee Jun Seok (in violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and the Framework Act on Telecommunications), the court dismissed the warrant on April 16.