Jeon Gwang-hoon, a pastor from Sarang Jeil Church who is suspected of being behind the ‘Western District Court Riot,’ denied the charges in his first trial.
The Seoul Western District Court’s Criminal Division 1 held the first trial and bail hearing for Mr. Jeon, who faces charges including instructing the invasion of a special building.
Mr. Jeon is accused of inciting his supporters to storm the Western District Court, destroy items, and assault police in the early morning of January 19th last year, following the arrest of former President Yoon Seok-yeol.
During the trial, Mr. Jeon claimed, “I was asleep at 3 a.m. and didn’t even know the incident occurred.” He argued against the charges, saying, “To establish the charge of incitement, wouldn’t I need to have been present or sent a message?”
In the subsequent bail hearing, Jeon’s lawyer listed his health conditions, stating, “There isn’t a single healthy part from head to toe, and it’s a miracle he’s alive.”
The court did not immediately decide on the bail request, and the next trial is scheduled for April 17th.