Son Hyun-bo, the pastor of Busan's Segyero Church, who was under investigation for violating the Public Official Election Act, has been arrested. He is accused of publicly supporting specific candidates during church services and prayer meetings ahead of this year's presidential election and the Busan superintendent by-election.
According to the legal community on the 9th, Director General Eom Seong-hwan of the Busan District Court issued an arrest warrant for Pastor Son after a pre-arrest interrogation. Director General Eom explained the reason for the arrest, stating, "There is a concern of flight."
Pastor Son is accused of conducting an interview with candidate Jeong Seung-yoon ahead of the Busan superintendent by-election in March and posting the video on YouTube and social media (SNS). He is also suspected of making remarks encouraging his congregation to support a specific candidate at a 'victory prayer service' held at the campaign office of candidate Jeong during the election period.
Additionally, during the presidential election phase in May and June, he is reported to have mentioned at Segyero Church services and prayer meetings, "We must elect Kim Moon-soo and defeat Lee Jae-myung." The Public Official Election Act prohibits educational and religious organizations from engaging in election campaigns using their organizational or occupational position.
In response, Pastor Son's side argued during the warrant review that "the controversial interview and worship video have already been made public, and there is no concern of flight due to his stable residence." However, Director General Eom accepted the prosecution's assertion of the necessity of arrest.
Pastor Son is known for leading the Protestant organization 'Save Korea' and directing demonstrations opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Upon the announcement of his arrest, about 600 members of church organizations, including Segyero Church and the Busan Christian Council, held a rally in front of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office, protesting that "the current Lee Jae-myung government is suppressing the church under the guise of rule of law." Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo also issued a statement claiming it is "clear political retaliation."