Latest news with #SarangJeilChurch
Saudi Gazette
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
South Korea's political crisis deepens as rival protests erupt over impeached President
SEOUL — There was no letup in South Korea's simmering political crisis as thousands gathered in Seoul on Sunday, staging rival demonstrations both in support of and against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol following his release from detention. Some 4,500 pro-Yoon protesters held an outdoor Sunday service near the presidential residence, demanding the Constitutional Court dismiss the impeachment. The service was organized by Sarang Jeil Church, led by conservative activist pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, according to Yonhap news agency. "With President Yoon's release, the impeachment trial has become meaningless. It's over," Jeon was quoted as saying. "In the event the Constitutional Court does something funny, we will exercise the people's right to resist and get rid of them with a single slash," he added. Yoon was released on Saturday after a Seoul court ruled his detention invalid. He had been held since mid-January over his botched martial law attempt in December. However, he still faces trial on charges of leading an insurrection and awaits the Constitutional Court's verdict on whether to uphold or dismiss his impeachment. An opposing rally by activists demanding Yoon's immediate removal was held overnight outside Seoul's Gyeongbok Palace. The group later held a news conference outside the nearby government complex to declare a week of "emergency action" urging his ouster. They also planned a march from the National Palace Museum later in the day, claiming it would draw 100,000 participants. Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) called for the immediate resignation of Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung, blaming him for the prosecution's decision to release Yoon after the court ruling. The party threatened to consider "all possible" measures, including Shim's impeachment, if he refused to step down. "Prosecutor General Shim released Yoon Suk Yeol, the ringleader of an insurrection, after voluntarily giving up the opportunity to immediately appeal the court decision (to release him) and receive the judgment of a higher court," DP floor leader Park Chan-dae said following an emergency meeting of lawmakers. The DP and four other minor opposition parties jointly called for Shim's resignation and vowed to push for his impeachment if he did not comply. On the other hand, the ruling People Power Party intensified its calls for the Constitutional Court to dismiss Yoon's impeachment and reinstate him. "The Constitutional Court must keep in mind that it will face unbearable backlash in the event it hastily removes the president from office and he is later acquitted of the insurrection charges," a party spokesperson warned. — Agencies
Korea Herald
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Protests erupt after Yoon Suk Yeol's release
Rallies by both people supporting Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and against it are to be held on Sunday, after Friday's court ruling decided that the president should be released from physical detention during his ongoing trial for insurrection and power abuse. Followers of far-right Protestant pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon and Sarang Jeil Church ― major supporters of Yoon ― were to hold an outdoor service near Hanjangjin Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul at 11 a.m., near the presidential residence where Yoon arrived at on Saturday. Another group, Angry Blue, connected to the conservative YouTube channel hosted by Hwang Jang-soo, will hold a protest and walk starting at 1 p.m. at Bosingak in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, where they will protest along Jongno 3-ga Yoon's impeachment while calling for the country's nuclear armament. Protests against the conservative president will also be held by the coalition of 1,549 left-leaning civic groups in the country, kicked off with an 11 p.m. press conference in front of the Government Complex Seoul. They will then march in support of Yoon's impeachment starting at 2 p.m., from the National Palace Museum to near Anguk Station. The protests are scheduled to be conducted throughout the afternoon, with a pro-impeachment protest scheduled to start as late as 7 p.m. As such, the major roads including the Sejong-ro in front of Gwanghwamun Plaza and other adjacent areas are expected to be blocked off or heavily congested. Both the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will provide traffic information pages during the protest hours. As supporters and opponents of Yoon being very vocal on the latest development. the suspended president himself has not addressed the public other than to voice his appreciation for what he called the court's "courage and determination in correcting the illegality" immediately after his arrest. Officials from the presidential office told local media Sunday that Yoon will refrain from notable activities, and his messages would be "very restrained." According to them, Yoon will "await the Constitutional Court's decision humbly and in a composed manner."
Korea Herald
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Who is controversial far-right pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon?
Far-right pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon has been pointed out as the possible mastermind behind the mob attack on Seoul Western District Court on Jan. 19 following the court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. Out of the 99 individuals apprehended by the police over the attack, two of them were described as a 'special missionary' of Jeon's Sarang Jeil Church, further adding to the controversy swirling around Jeon. In response to the allegations, Jeon held a press conference on Wednesday, where he claimed he 'had nothing to do with the violence" and those who were rallying in front of the court at the time inciting violence. 'I've held rallies at Gwanghwamun for the past seven years and not a single violent incident occurred once,' said Jeon during Wednesday's press conference. 'I've consistently emphasized not to clash with the police or commit violence during rallies in the past and on the day of the attack when I was delivering my speech. I wasn't even present at Seoul Western District Court when the attack occurred.' Jeon, a far-right pastor who has actively led pro-Yoon protests and has been one of the most vocal advocates of the suspended president since the Dec. 3 martial law debacle. He has consistently been involved in several controversies for his far-right political views and comments made related to Christianity, claiming them to be revelations of God. These comments include: 'South Korea will perish. South Korea will disappear from the global community when the Moon Jae-in administration ends;' 'South Korea will center around Jeon Kwang-hoon for the next 10 years;' and 'There will remain nothing in 100 years except for Jeon Kwang-hoon's words.' At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeon was criticized for violating various social distancing measures in place at the time, as he went ahead and conducted in-person worship services and large-scale rallies. Jeon, who once served as president of the Christian Council of Korea, was expelled from the evangelical alliance based on 15 complaints against his speeches and behavior and was labeled a pseudo-religious figure by the CCK's committee on pseudo-religions. Jeon also drew further controversy following Yoon's martial law decree on Dec. 4, as he stated that Yoon's declaration of martial law was 'a gift from God to the Korean church.' On Thursday, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea announced that it has reported Jeon to the police under allegations of 'propagating unconstitutional and illegal acts of insurrection and inciting the public to commit disorder.' During Thursday's press conference, the party stated that Jeon 'consistently justified Yoon's insurrectionary acts' and 'advocated for the martial law decree with false statements.' Meanwhile, the police investigating the mob violence at Seoul Western District Court have booked Jeon as a suspect, though it is unclear as to whether Jeon had been summoned yet for questioning.
