Prosecutors seek five years in prison for Jeon Kwang-hoon, accused of masterminding the Western District Court riot; say he “incited violence”

[Financial News] The prosecution service has sought a five-year prison term for Jeon Kwang-hoon, pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, who was put on trial on charges of inciting the “Seoul Western District Court riot.” It argued that Jeon invoked the “people’s right to resist” to incite a break-in at the court and assaults on police.
On the 21st, the Seoul Western District Prosecution Office asked the court to sentence Jeon to five years in prison at the closing hearing on charges including instigating aggravated trespass into a building and aggravated obstruction of official duties. The hearing was held at Seoul Western District Court before Criminal Division 1, a single-judge panel presided over by Judge Park Ji-won.
The prosecutor argued, “Attacking a court through violent means because its ruling differs from one’s expectations is a serious crime that directly rejects the rule of law,” adding, “Jeon is behind it.”
The prosecution service said Jeon used his influence as a religious leader to emphasize the people’s right to resist at rallies and in YouTube broadcasts, stirring up his supporters. It particularly concluded that remarks such as saying former President Yoon Suk Yeol should be taken out of the detention center incited the break-in at the court and assaults on police.
The prosecutor said, “The principal offenders’ crimes are extremely grave, and Jeon, who incited them, must be held criminally accountable,” and added, “Even during the trial, he has attended rallies and preached that his actions were justified, showing no signs of remorse.”
Kim Hak-seong, a former professor at Kangwon National University who has attended rallies and other events with Jeon since 2021, appeared as a witness at the hearing that day. The prosecution service presented remarks made by another pastor at a Gwanghwamun rally in December 2024 to the effect that violence could be used under the people’s right to resist.
Former Professor Kim acknowledged that the remarks were “wrong and inconsistent with the essence of the right to resist.” However, he said he did not know whether Jeon had publicly corrected them.
When the prosecutor pressed him about Jeon’s remarks to the effect that former President Yoon should be taken out of the detention center, former Professor Kim explained, “They did not amount to instigating a crime, but they could be open to misunderstanding.”
The parties also clashed over the charge of obstructing traffic. The prosecution service presented video showing rally participants occupying lanes on roads including the Seosomun Overpass, as they moved along. Jeon’s side countered that police had already blocked the road and that participants had moved onto the roadway naturally, adding that there had been no deliberate order to occupy it.
In its closing argument, Jeon’s side said, “Five of the seven people identified as principal offenders had never even met the defendant,” arguing that he had given no direct instructions to commit the crimes. It requested an acquittal, saying his remarks about the people’s right to resist constituted political expression. Jeon also denied the charges, saying he had been asleep during the riot.
The court set January 13 next year as the date for its verdict.
Jeon was indicted and detained last February on charges including inciting supporters to storm Seoul Western District Court damage court property and assault police officers immediately after former President Yoon was arrested on January 19 last year. Released on bail last May, Jeon is also being investigated by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency over allegations involving illegal political funds in the 10-billion-won range and defaming President Lee Jae-myung.
[email protected] Choi Seung-han Reporter