"Direct Denial of the Rule of Law"... Prosecution Seeks 5-Year Prison Term for Jeon Kwang-hoon

The prosecution has demanded a 5-year prison sentence for Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who is accused of instigating the rampage at the Seoul Western District Court.

During the sentencing hearing held today (October 21) by Judge Park Ji-won of Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Western District Court, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office requested the court to hand down a 5-year prison term on charges including instigation of special trespass.

The prosecutor pointed out that attacking a court through violent methods because a court's trial process or outcome differs from one's expectations is a grave crime that directly denies the rule of law, and that Pastor Jeon sits behind it.

The prosecutor explained that Jeon incited protesters to trespass into government offices such as the court by making extreme remarks on YouTube, such as declaring a right to national resistance and stating that former President Yoon Suk Yeol must be brought out of the detention center.

The prosecutor added that on January 18, the day before the trespass, Jeon stated in Gwanghwamun that the "right to national resistance has been completed, and those who do not listen to me will be shot," and told supporters to head to the Western District Court, continuously telling the protesters to punish anti-state forces and reinstate former President Yoon in accordance with the right to national resistance.

Furthermore, the prosecutor stated that the nature of the crime committed by the principal offender in this case is extremely poor, and that appropriate criminal responsibility must be held against Pastor Jeon who induced it, noting that Jeon has shown no remorse, continuously attending rallies even during the trial and preaching to supporters that his actions were justified.

Pastor Jeon is accused of instigating supporters to break into the Seoul Western District Court, smash furniture, and assault police immediately after the court's decision to detain former President Yoon Suk Yeol in January of last year.

He is also charged with instigating participants at the Gwanghwamun rally the day before to move near the Western District Court and occupy the streets.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.