"Retired from Ministry Five Years Ago, Unaware of Church Finances"—Jeon Kwang-hoon Returns Home After Two-Hour Police Questioning Due to Chronic Illness

[Financial News] Jeon Kwang-hoon, pastor of Sarang Jeil Church and suspected of orchestrating the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court, was released and returned home after about two hours of police questioning on the 18th.
The Security Investigation Division of the SMPA summoned Jeon that morning as a suspect to investigate allegations of special trespassing and incitement to obstruct official duties. Jeon left the building at 12:40 p.m., two hours and forty minutes after his arrival, departing in a pre-parked white vehicle.
He reportedly requested to end the questioning due to chronic illnesses, including Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL). The police plan to summon Jeon again for further investigation.
Before entering the police station, Jeon told reporters, "We are not connected to the Seoul Western District Court incident," reiterating his previous stance. He explained, "We concluded the Gwanghwamun rally at 7:30 p.m., and the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court occurred at 3 a.m. the following day." He added, "I have led the Gwanghwamun movement for seven to eight years, always emphasizing not to clash with the police or left-wing groups, so there have been no incidents or accidents." He further claimed, "The disturbance was caused by people shouting elsewhere, not by the Gwanghwamun group."
Jeon also denied allegations that he was involved in sending funds to suspects in the court disturbance. He stated, "I retired from the ministry five years ago, so I am essentially an external pastor," and continued, "A retired pastor has no authority, so how would I know about church finances or remittances?" Regarding the two special evangelists accused of participating in the disturbance, he said, "They are not official church members. I occasionally greeted them in the parking lot, and when I asked who they were, they said they were YouTubers from Gwangju," denying any connection or involvement.
Jeon further claimed that political forces were orchestrating the investigation against him. He asserted, "I have reasonable suspicion that the Presidential Civil Affairs Office is directing this," and criticized, "Police officers collapse before the wind even blows," and "South Korea is finished."
Police believe Jeon was behind the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court on January 19. He is accused of using religious influence to psychologically manipulate (gaslight) his followers and conservative YouTubers, providing them with funds to encourage the court intrusion.
Previously, in August, police searched Jeon's residence, Sarang Jeil Church, and the offices and homes of six conservative YouTubers. In September, they also searched the offices of Jeon's daughter and Lee Young-han, the lead pastor of Sarang Jeil Church.
On the 13th, Shin Hye-sik, the head of the YouTube channel Sinnui Hansu, was summoned for questioning. Summons and questioning of Shin and six other suspects, as well as related witnesses, have been completed.
[email protected] Seo Ji-yoon Reporter