People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok visited Segero Church in Busan and on the 14th sharply criticized the recent arrest of Pastor Son Hyeon-bo, calling it "religious persecution." The Democratic Party of Korea immediately shot back that it was "branding the normal functioning of the rule of law as 'anti-rule of law.'"
Jang met with reporters before attending a service at Segero Church in Gangseo District, Busan, and said, "Since the Constitution of the Republic of Korea was established, there would have been no case of detaining a religious leader on such charges," adding, "Pastor Son's detention is not about Pastor Son as an individual. It is persecution of all people of faith."
The Democratic Party strongly countered. Spokesperson Gwon Hyang-yeop said in a written briefing, "Pastor Son Hyeon-bo was detained for violating the Public Official Election Act." Gwon went on, "I want to ask Jang, who is trying to brand the normal functioning of the rule of law as 'anti–rule of law and anti-democracy.' Are you saying Pastor Son is above the law?" and criticized, "Isn't it shameful to even invoke religious persecution to protect an insurrectionist pastor who led rallies against impeachment?"
Earlier, Pastor Son was detained by police on the 9th on charges of supporting a specific candidate and conducting pre-campaigning in the April by-election for Busan education superintendent and during the 21st presidential election. Pastor Son also led Save Korea, a Protestant group that spearheaded rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party leadership, including leader Jang, visited the site of Gadeok New Airport after stopping by Segero Church, and held a discussion with Busan youth to share views on local job issues and more.
During the visit to the Gadeokdo New Airport site, Jang said, "Gadeokdo New Airport will provide a new growth engine for the entire southern region and, together with the capital area, create a new pillar for balanced national development," adding, "With safety as the top priority, I hope this project proceeds smoothly as originally scheduled."
Jang Dong-hyeok's Busan visit marked the leadership's first on-site schedule outside the capital since his leadership team launched, and is seen as an effort to win over public sentiment in Busan and South Gyeongsang (PK) ahead of next year's local elections. The People Power Party leadership plans to hold an on-site supreme council meeting in Busan on the 15th and tour the construction site of the temporary government complex for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.