Prosecution Seeks 4-Year Prison Term for Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon in Second Trial Over COVID-19 Downtown Rally

Verdict to Be Delivered on June 23

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was brought to trial for violating quarantine guidelines and holding a rally in downtown Seoul during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, was sentenced to four years in prison in the second trial.

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is answering reporters' questions as he attends a pretrial detention hearing at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul on January 13. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 26th, prosecutors requested the court to sentence Pastor Jeon to four years in prison and a fine of 5 million won on charges including violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act. The case was heard by the 3rd Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court, presided over by Chief Judge Lee Seung-han. The verdict will be delivered at 2 p.m. on June 23.

Pastor Jeon is accused of holding a rally calling for the resignation of then-President Moon Jae-in near Gwanghwamun Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on August 15, 2020, even after a mass outbreak of COVID-19 occurred at Sarang Jeil Church.

At the time, despite an order from the Seoul Metropolitan Government banning rallies, the court granted limited permission for rallies at two locations, including in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop, which resulted in crowds gathering near Gwanghwamun Station.

Additionally, Pastor Jeon is also accused of inciting some participants to assault police officers during the National Foundation Day rally on October 3, 2019.

In the first trial, the court found Pastor Jeon guilty, stating that breaking the authorities' ban on rallies for the sake of public welfare was a serious offense. He was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 3 years, and fined 4.5 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.