Pro-Yoon pastor claims jail time for criticizing government, but facts show otherwise

A controversial South Korean pastor, Son Hyun-bo, recently claimed on a US podcast that he was jailed for criticizing the government. During an appearance on a podcast hosted by Rev. Allen Jackson in Tennessee, Son alleged that South Korea has "lurched leftward" under a "leftist government" that "cozies up to China and North Korea and infringes on the freedom of religion." He further claimed he was "put in solitary confinement for five months because I criticized the government during a church service." Son used his alleged experience to argue that "a pastor can be jailed for saying ordinary things depending on who is in power."

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Korea, which used to enjoy immense liberty, has lurched leftward after a leftist government came to power.

However, court records indicate a different story. Son was convicted of illegal electioneering during last year's presidential election and a redo election for the Busan superintendent of schools. He was detained on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and the Local Education Autonomy Act. A district court handed him a six-month prison sentence suspended for one year in January, and he was released. The Public Official Election Act prohibits individuals in educational or religious organizations from using their positions to campaign within their organizations. It also restricts the use of loudspeakers outside designated public spaces and debates.

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a government that cozies up to China and North Korea and infringes on the freedom of religion.

Son's claims of being jailed for criticizing the government do not align with the facts of his conviction. His detention and sentencing were related to election law violations, not his religious or political speech during a church service. The pastor, who has been in the US since July 13, also raised concerns about election fraud and claimed that 70% of young Koreans oppose the current government, citing protests over ballot shortages.

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In my case, I was put in solitary confinement for five months because I criticized the government during a church service.