Jeon Kwang-hoon, Suspected Ringleader Behind Seoul Western District Court Riot, to Face Detention Warrant Hearing on 13th

[The Financial News] The decision on whether to detain Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, accused of being behind the so-called “Seoul Western District Court riot,” could come as early as next week.
According to the legal community on the 9th, the Seoul Western District Court will hold a hearing at 10:30 a.m. on the 13th to review the arrest warrant for Pastor Jeon. Roughly a year after the riot at the Seoul Western District Court in January last year, he will stand before the same court for a detention hearing.
On the 8th, the Seoul Western District Public Prosecutors' Office sought an arrest warrant for Pastor Jeon on charges of aggravated trespass into a residence and incitement to obstruct the performance of official duties. He is accused of exerting psychological control under the guise of religious faith and providing financial support to systematically manage close aides and several conservative YouTubers, and of inciting protesters to storm the Seoul Western District Court and cause a disturbance on January 19 last year.
The Security Investigation Division, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, which has been investigating the case, also requested an arrest warrant for Shin Hye-sik, head of the YouTube channel “Sinihan Su,” who faces the same charges as Pastor Jeon. However, prosecutors filed for a warrant only for Pastor Jeon.
Police requested an arrest warrant once in December last year, but prosecutors rejected the request and sent it back, calling for further investigation. At the time, prosecutors were said to have concluded that additional investigation was needed to substantiate the charges. Since then, police have focused on reinforcing the allegations by conducting additional interviews with those involved and analyzing seized materials.
In August last year, police searched the residences of Pastor Jeon, Shin, and five other related figures. The following month, they carried out additional raids on the home of Pastor Jeon’s daughter and on the senior pastor’s office at Sarang Jeil Church.
425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter