Jeon Kwang-hoon

Jeon Kwang-hoon (Korean: 전광훈; Hanja: 全光焄: , born 28 March 1956) is a South Korean pastor and politician. He is the incumbent President of the Christian Council of Korea. He was also the former President of the now-defunct Party of Practice of Christian Love,[1] as well as one of key figures to found the Christian Liberal Party.[2] He is head pastor at Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul, South Korea, and is known for his conservative political activism against the Moon administration.[3][4]

In this Korean name, the family name is Jeon.
Jeon Kwang-hoon
전광훈
Jeon Kwang-hoon delivering a speech in Gwanghwamun Plaza on 9 November 2019
Born (1956-03-28) 28 March 1956
Uiseong, North Gyeongsang, South Korea
NationalitySouth Korea
Alma materDaehan Theological University
OccupationPastor, politician
Political partyIndependent
Korean name
Hangul
전광훈
Hanja
全光焄
Revised RomanizationJeon Gwang-hun
McCune–ReischauerChŏn Kwanghun

Early life and education

Jeon Kwang-hoon was born in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang, in 1956.[2] He attended to Kwangwoon Electronics Technical High School in Seoul.[2] He received a bachelor's degree in theology at Daehan Theological University and a master's degree in Anyang University.[2]

Controversies
  • At a rally in Daegu in 2005, Jeon said, "if female believers take off their underwear for me, they are one of my believers, and if they don't, they are not," and led to the so-called "panties controversy." After the fact, in an interview with the Hankyoreh, he explained how the true intent of his statement was very much distorted.[5] At a rally in Cheonan in 2006, he made a sexist comment to the effect "women should not come to church wearing short skirts."
  • During the time of the 2007 Presidential election in South Korea he made various statements interfering with the election, including the statement, "if you do not vote for Elder Lee Myung-bak, you will be erased from the book of life," leading to criticism from many citizens and believers alike.[6]
  • In March 2020, Jeon was indicted over allegations of violating South Korean election law. According to the allegations, he encouraged supporters to vote against Moon at a rally outside of the official campaigning period. He was released on bail on the condition that he not take part in rallies related to his pending case.[4][7]
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, Jeon's church defied outbreak control measures, and was prohibited from gatherings.[8]
  • On 18 August 2020, the South Korean health ministry and Seoul city government filed separate criminal complaints against Jeon following his activity in organizing Liberation Day rallies in Seoul. He is accused of hindering infection control efforts by discouraging worshipers from getting tested, under-reporting church membership to health authorities, and attending rallies while under a quarantine order.[9][7] Jeon's lawyers and Sarang Jeil Church have denied the allegations.[10][11] From 13 August 2020 to 18 August 2020, the church was tied to more than 300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmission, leading to a tightening of social distancing rules in Seoul.[4][9][7][11] Jeon himself, although asymptomatic, tested positive for the disease.[4][9]

References
  1. "전광훈 목사 "사랑실천당 당원 70만 확보"". 20 February 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  2. "'정치 목사' 전광훈 누구? 나이는? 어느 지역 출신?". 7 June 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  3. "The Populist Pastor Leading a Conservative Revival in South Korea". 8 November 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  4. "South Korea pastor tests positive amid virus spike at church". 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  5. "전광훈 목사가 밝히는 '빤스 발언'의 진실". 27 September 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  6. "기독당 추진 전광훈 목사 발언 물의". 1 September 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  7. "Seoul church under fire for mass infections, uncooperative response to virus tests". 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  8. "Government cracks down on church for violating anti-outbreak measures". 23 March 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  9. "'South Korea warns it is on brink of new Covid crisis as church linked to outbreak". 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  10. "Sarang Jeil Church Claims Pastor Was Not Subject to Self-Quarantine". 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  11. "South Korea battles worst coronavirus outbreak in months, warns of crisis". 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
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