Jeon Kwang-hoon

In this Korean name, the family name is Jeon.
Jeon Kwang-hoon
전광훈
Jeon Kwang-Hoon giving a lecture at SarangJeil Presbyterian Church
Born (1956-03-28) 28 March 1956 (age 68)
Uiseong, North Gyeongsang, South Korea
NationalitySouth Korean
Alma materDaehan Theological University
Occupation(s)Pastor, politician
Political partyIndependent
Korean name
Hangul
전광훈
Hanja
全光焄
Revised RomanizationJeon Gwanghun
McCune–ReischauerChŏn Kwanghun
Signature

Jeon Kwang-hoon or Jun Gwang-hoon (Korean: 전광훈; Hanja: 全光焄, born 28 March 1956) is a South Korean pastor and politician. He is the incumbent President of the Christian Council of Korea. He was also the former President of the now-defunct Party of Practice of Christian Love,[1] as well as one of key figures to found the Christian Liberal Party.[2] He is head pastor at Sarang Jeil Church [ko] in Seoul, South Korea, and is known for his conservative political activism against the Moon Jae-in administration.[3][4]

Early life and education

Jeon Kwang-hoon was born in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang, in 1956.[2] He attended to Kwangwoon Electronics Technical High School in Seoul.[2] He received a bachelor's degree in theology at Daehan Theological University and a master's degree in Anyang University.[2]

Political positions

He is mentioned in many major South Korean media outlets as a far-right pastor.[5][6][7][8] The New York Times described Jeon as a populist, pointing out similarities to Western right-wing populism.[9]

He is officially an independent but is practically recognized as a member of the Christian Liberty Unification Party. He said the only thing that could blow up homosexuals and Juchesasangpas was CLUP, and appealed for support.[10]

Controversies

Religious and Election Interference

  • At a rally in Daegu in 2005, Jeon said, "if female believers take off their underwear for me, they are one of my believers, and if they don't, they are shit," and led to the so-called "panties controversy." After the fact, in an interview with the Hankyoreh, he explained how the true intent of his statement was very much distorted.[11]
  • During the time of the 2007 Presidential election in South Korea he made various statements interfering with the election, including the statement, "if you do not vote for Elder Lee Myung-bak, you will be erased from the book of life," leading to criticism from many citizens and believers alike.[12]
  • In March 2020, Jeon was indicted over allegations of violating South Korean election law. According to the allegations, he encouraged supporters to vote against Moon at a rally outside of the official campaigning period. He was released on bail on the condition that he not take part in rallies related to his pending case.[4][13]
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, Jeon's church defied outbreak control measures, and was prohibited from gatherings.[14]
  • Jeon has been fined 2 million won for violating the Public Official Election Act by making statements in support of a specific candidate while being disqualified from voting. On October 18, 2024, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Northern District Court found Jeon guilty for his remarks in support of candidate Kim Kyung-jae during a worship service in the 2022 presidential election period.[15]
  • On 18 August 2020, the South Korean health ministry and government of Seoul filed separate criminal complaints against Jeon following his activity in organizing Liberation Day rallies in Seoul. He is accused of hindering infection control efforts by discouraging worshipers from getting tested, under-reporting church membership to health authorities, and attending rallies while under a quarantine order.[16][13] Jeon's lawyers and Sarang Jeil Church have denied the allegations.[17][18] From 13 August 2020 to 18 August 2020, the church was tied to more than 300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmission, leading to a tightening of social distancing rules in Seoul.[4][16][13][18] Jeon himself, although asymptomatic, tested positive for the disease.[4][16]
  • On 3 September 2024, The Seoul Northern District Court overturned a previous not-guilty verdict and ruled in favor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government on September 3, regarding the case against Sarang Jeil Church (founded by Pastor Jun Kwang-hoon) for violating COVID-19 regulations by holding in-person services during the pandemic. The appellate court stated that considering the lack of knowledge about COVID-19 at the time and the absence of vaccines, the decision to ban gatherings entirely was aimed at protecting public health and did not unjustly infringe upon religious freedom. The court further explained that the actions taken by the church could have undermined the efforts of the state and citizens to prevent and control the spread of the virus during the early stages of the pandemic. In response, the church immediately announced its intention to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.[19]
  • Members of the Sarang Jeil Church, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, have been sentenced to prison for using Molotov cocktails and steel pipes to obstruct the lawful execution of a court order during the eviction process by the Jangwi District 10 Redevelopment Association in Seongbuk District, Seoul.[20]

Violent Obstruction and Controversial Claims

  • Jun Kwang-hoon claimed that Yoido Full Gospel Church conducted a full survey of its members after the April 10, 2024, general election, alleging that the majority voted for the Liberty Unification Party. However, Yoido Full Gospel Church strongly denied these claims, stating that they are not true.[21]
  • Jeon Kwang-hoon faced criticism after dismissing public disapproval of his profanity-laden sermons by claiming that the insults he uses during sermons are "milder than those used by Jesus or John the Baptist."[22]
  • On October 6, 2024, during the Sunday Union Worship Service at Gwanghwamun, Jeon Kwang-hoon sparked controversy by claiming that he is the only theologian with the "correct answer" on demonology. He further fueled the debate by announcing an upcoming sermon on the subject of demonology.[23]
  • On October 8, 2024, Jeon Kwang-hoon has been indicted by prosecutors for providing money to conservative YouTubers under the pretext of "advertising fees." The charges include payments for transportation expenses that violate the Kim Young-ran Act and allegations of trading proportional representation nominations.[24]
  • On December 4, 2024, Jeon Kwang-hoon sparked controversy by making the outrageous remark that President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law was a gift from God to the Korean church.[25]

References

  1. ^ 전광훈 목사 "사랑실천당 당원 70만 확보". 20 February 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d '정치 목사' 전광훈 누구? 나이는? 어느 지역 출신?. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  3. ^ "The Populist Pastor Leading a Conservative Revival in South Korea". 8 November 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "South Korea pastor tests positive amid virus spike at church". 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  5. ^ 전광훈의 망언을 이해하는 세 가지 키워드 (Three keywords to understand Jeon Kwang-hoon's absurd remarks.). OhmyNews. 25 February 2021.
  6. ^ 극우단체 3·1절 집회 예고…민주 "등교 앞두고 찬물 끼얹나" (Far-right groups have announced a rally on March 1st. The Democratic Party says, "You're pouring cold water before school."). The Hankyoreh. 23 February 2021.
  7. ^ "예수 족보 속 여성은 모두 매춘부"··선 넘는 전광훈 목사 막말 ("All the women in the genealogy of Jesus are prostitutes." Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon's rude remarks.). No Cut News. 22 February 2021. 전 목사는 또, 문재인 대통령을 바라보는 시각에 따라 그리스도의 조직에 속해 있는지 아니면 사탄의 조직에 속해 있는지 알 수 있다며 극우적 색깔론에 신앙의 이름을 덧입혀 교인들을 선동했습니다. (Pastor former pastor incited the church members by putting the name of faith on the far-right color theory, saying that depending on how he views President Moon Jae-in, he can know whether he belongs to Christ's organization or Satan's organization.)
  8. ^ "썩은피 내보내자"…배현진에 하태경·원희룡도 '극우 손절' ("Let's get rid of the rotten blood." ... Bae Hyun-jin, Ha Tae-kyung, and Won Hee-ryong also drew a line with the far right.). JoongAng Ilbo. 21 August 2020.
  9. ^ "The Populist Pastor Leading a Conservative Revival in South Korea". The New York Times. 8 November 2019.
  10. ^ 전광훈 "동성애·주사파 한 방에 날릴 수 있는 건 '기독자유당'뿐 ("Jeon Kwang-hoon says, 'The only thing that can blow Juchesasangpa and homosexuals at once is the CLUP.'"). 뉴스앤조이. 23 May 2019.
  11. ^ 전광훈 목사가 밝히는 '빤스 발언'의 진실. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  12. ^ 기독당 추진 전광훈 목사 발언 물의. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  13. ^ a b c "Seoul church under fire for mass infections, uncooperative response to virus tests". 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Government cracks down on church for violating anti-outbreak measures". 23 March 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  15. ^ 전광훈 씨, 공직선거법 위반혐의로 또 다시 벌금형 받아 [Jeon Kwang-hoon Fined Again for Violating Public Official Election Act]. Amen News (in Korean). 18 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "'South Korea warns it is on brink of new Covid crisis as church linked to outbreak". 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Sarang Jeil Church Claims Pastor Was Not Subject to Self-Quarantine". 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  18. ^ a b "South Korea battles worst coronavirus outbreak in months, warns of crisis". 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  19. ^ Song, Kyung Ho (3 September 2024). 법원, 사랑제일교회 감염병법 위반 1심 무죄 파기… 교회 측 "관심법 판결" [Court Overturns Not-Guilty Verdict for Sarang Jeil Church's Violation of Infectious Disease Control Act; Church Calls It a "Mind-Reading Judgment"]. Christian Today. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  20. ^ Park, In Jae (23 August 2024). 사랑제일교회 재개발 강제집행 반발해 화염병 등 던진 신도들, 대법 판결 확정 [Supreme Court Upholds Convictions of Sarang Jeil Church Members Who Threw Molotov Cocktails in Protest Against Redevelopment Eviction]. Amen News. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  21. ^ Shin, Bee Rom (21 June 2024). 전광훈, 여의도순복음교회 4·10전수조사 주장·· 기하성, '금시초문' [Jun Kwang-hoon Claims Yoido Full Gospel Church Conducted April 10th Survey; KAOG Responds, 'First We've Heard of It']. Logosian. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  22. ^ 전광훈 씨, "내가 하는 욕설이 담긴 설교, 예수님, 세례요한의 욕설보다 못해" 궤변 [Jeon Kwang-hoon Claims His Profanity-Laden Sermons Are Mild Compared to Those of Jesus and John the Baptist]. Amen News (in Korean). 2 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  23. ^ 전광훈, "내가 귀신론에 대한 정답 가지고 있다" 궤변 ["Jeon Kwang-hoon Claims to Have the 'Correct Answer' on Demonology, Sparking Controversy"]. Amen News (in Korean). 9 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  24. ^ 전광훈, 공직선거법, 정치자금법 위반 혐의로 기소 ["Jeon Kwang-hoon Indicted on Charges of Violating the Public Official Election Act and Political Funds Act"]. Amen News (in Korean). 11 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  25. ^ Park, In Jae (6 December 2024). "전광훈 씨, "윤석열 대통령의 계엄령 선포, 하나님이 한국교회에 주신 선물" 망언" [Jeon Kwang-hoon Claims, “President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Martial Law Declaration Is a Gift from God to the Korean Church”]. Amen News (in Korean). Retrieved 6 December 2024.