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| Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon waves at supporters waiting for him in front of Seoul Central Court in southern Seoul, Monday, where he was brought in for questioning over his political activities. Yonhap |
CCK leader under fire for going too far
By Park Ji-won
"There is no one who was infected with the coronavirus while attending the outdoor public gathering."
Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon, head of the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) and pastor of Sarang Jeil Church in Jangwi-dong, Seoul, said in front of thousands of protestors who gathered in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Sunday, amid fears of the spread of the deadly COVID-19.
"God will treat us and save us from the deadly disease. So please come again next week as we will host another rally here," he said.
The 63-year-old pastor is a self-proclaimed right-wing crusader. But his controversial remarks and "overconfidence" regarding potential health risks have pitted him against other right-wingers.
Criticism came from all over the political spectrum after he pushed for the public gathering despite the nationwide spread of the deadly coronavirus that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. As of Tuesday morning, the epidemic has killed eight people, and over 800 Koreans have been infected with the deadly virus.
The controversial rally in central Seoul, however, won't be held this week because Jun, the initiator of the anti-Moon Jae-in protests, was detained Monday night after the Seoul Central Court issued an arrest warrant for the pastor. He is accused of having violated the election law that prohibits pre-election campaigning in favor of certain political parties or candidates.
Noting that Rev. Jun's voting right was suspended for five years for his previous violation of the election law, the court said the pastor tried to exert influence on the public to vote for a certain party. The court issued an arrest warrant, saying otherwise he may flee.
The outspoken pastor showed up at the court without wearing a face mask.
He is an outspoken critic of President Moon.
"As far as I know about Moon Jae-in, he intends to destroy South Korea in order to help North Korea's Kim Jung-un easily take it over," he told the reporters who were waiting in front of the court on Monday. "For this reason, I have been fighting against him and my resistance will continue."
Jun urged the public to gather under the leadership of the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn and vote for the party in the April election.
"All conservatives must be united under Hwang's leadership. We have to do so, even if (our public gathering) leads us to contract the deadly disease," he said.
Jun has organized the anti-Moon Jae-in rallies since last year, demanding the President step down to take responsibility for the alleged "mismanagement" of the nation.
His controversial comments have landed him in trouble several times.
Last year, Jun urged the public to join a campaign to impeach President Moon.
"Impeaching Moon is what God has ordered us to do," he said during a conference to discuss the future of the nation at the Press Center in Seoul in June. The CCK head went on to call Moon a North Korean sympathizer.
Other CCK members protested his controversial remarks. They claimed Jun didn't represent the Protestant group, although he still holds the leadership position.
In June last year, he spent much of his time in sermon criticizing President Moon and rallying support from conservative churchgoers.
Some Christian groups and the Seoul Election Commission took legal action against him for allegedly interfering in the upcoming April elections.
Some Protestants alleged that he is nothing but a politically-motivated pastor, an allegation Jun denied as he portrays himself as a crusader fighting for freedom and democracy.
He came under fire from some conservative Christian groups last year for his Oct. 22 speech at a rally in Seoul. He said at that time "God, please behave. If not, I will punish you."
The Korean Church Association issued a statement accusing Jun of making inappropriate remarks. "We don't know why he said that. But it is clear that he crossed the line and what he said is not forgiven," the statement read. The group went on to say that though pastor Jun has fought for freedom and democracy, the way he speaks and behaves leaves room for different interpretations.
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