US State Dept. Officials Meet Pastor Who Led Anti-Yoon Protests, Raising Questions on Bilateral Ties

U.S. State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Riley Cantrell and Deputy Assistant Secretary Julie Turner, met with Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Sae-ro-gye Church in Busan. Son is known for leading protests against the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The meeting, which also included representatives from the White House Faith Office and the U.S. Consulate in Busan, was described by Sae-ro-gye Church as an "official visit" to discuss "various current issues in South Korea." Pastor Son stated that the U.S. officials offered words of encouragement and pledged support for a youth solidarity program organized by the church.

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The U.S. State Department has been communicating with various stakeholders in the process of preparing its annual reports on human rights, trafficking, and international religious freedom, and this visit is part of that communication.

The U.S. State Department characterized the visit as part of its ongoing communication with various stakeholders for its annual reports on human rights, trafficking, and international religious freedom. However, the meeting has drawn attention due to Pastor Son's past legal troubles, including a suspended prison sentence for illegal election campaigning, and his prominent role in conservative Christian circles that have opposed certain government policies.

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I received an official request from the State Department to have a meeting and attend a service.

Discussions reportedly touched upon issues such as a proposed amendment to the Civil Act aimed at preventing religious organizations from engaging in political interference, and the government's consideration of legalizing anti-discrimination laws. These topics are sensitive within the conservative Christian community, which views the Civil Act amendment as a potential basis for forced dissolution of religious corporations.

The visit occurs amid broader tensions in U.S.-South Korea relations. Conservative figures in the U.S. have expressed concerns about South Korea's current government, labeling it "hard-left" and questioning the alliance. In response, a South Korean presidential official defended the government, calling such characterizations a "serious distortion." Additionally, the U.S. Trade Representative has proposed a 12.5% tariff on South Korean goods, citing concerns about the country's implementation of import bans on products made with forced labor.

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The U.S. State Department officials offered words of encouragement and pledged to help create a fund for the Korea-U.S. Youth Solidarity Program that Sae-ro-gye Church has been organizing.