[News Today] Pastor detained for courthouse riot

[LEAD]
Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon has been detained a year after last year's riot at the Seoul Western District Court. He is accused of inciting supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol to storm the courthouse.

[REPORT]
As a detention warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol was issued, his supporters broke into a courthouse in an unprecedented move.

Police believe that Jeon Kwang-hoon, a pastor at Sarang Jeil Church, is behind the courthouse riot.

Jeon Kwang-hoon/ Pastor, Sarang Jeil Church (Jan. 18, 2025)
This is the people’s right to resist. Put up the address of the Seoul Western District Court.

The court issued a police-requested detention warrant for Jeon, describing him as a flight risk.

Before attending a court warrant review hearing, the pastor repeatedly denied all charges against him.

Jeon Kwang-hoon/ Pastor, Sarang Jeil Church
Those who forced their way in during the court riot were not our group but a different group.

Police say that Jeon took advantage of his supporters' religious belief to mentally control them and incited the courthouse intrusion by giving financial support to YouTubers and those close to him.

They are also reported to have stressed the need for detention, citing signs of evidence destruction, including the mass replacement of church computers just before a police raid last year.

Jeon's detention will likely accelerate a probe into charges not included in this warrant, such as the incitement of insurrection and evidence destruction.

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