Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn strongly condemned the Marine Corps special prosecutor's seizure and search of conservative church organizations at an outdoor rally held near the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, at 6 p.m. on the 21st. Reporter Heo Gyeom 

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the New Future Party for Freedom and Innovation and head of the General Headquarters for Prevention of Election Fraud and Corruption, strongly stated, "The special prosecutor's office is conducting forced investigations by seizing and searching churches under unrelated charges." 

At an outdoor rally held near the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, at 6 p.m. on the 21st, Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn pointed out the problems with the investigation methods, saying, "Stop the religious persecution immediately" regarding the seizure and search of Pastor Kim Jang-hwan (Chairman of Far East Broadcasting) and Yeouido Full Gospel Church (Senior Pastor Lee Young-hoon) by the Marine Corps special prosecutor.

Representative Hwang stated, "Is it a crime for pastors to have simply supported and helped General Im?" and lamented the indiscriminate forced investigations, saying, "Churches should be a refuge, and they should help those in need, regardless of what they have done." 

He characterized the forced investigation as a "parallel investigation" and questioned, "What crime did they commit by helping them? Should we just stand by?" He criticized the lukewarm response from the conservative church community, saying, "Over 10,000 churches, which suffered during COVID-19 closures, cannot endure this again. Many churches are afraid and are not taking action. You must awaken your churches first." 

He urged a united response, saying, "If investigations are conducted solely on the suspicion that churches have become a refuge for those in need, all churches will collapse. Each and every one of you must become a seed and grow to prevent the unjust special prosecutor Lee Myung-hyun from touching the churches." 

Previously, it was reported on the 18th that the special prosecutor's office, investigating allegations of "lobbying to save" former Marine Corps Division Commander Im Sung-geun, had dispatched prosecutors and investigators to the home and Far East Broadcasting of Pastor Kim, a senior figure in the Protestant community, and had executed seizure and search warrants on about 10 conservative church organizations, including Pastor Lee's home, mobile phone, and Yeouido Full Gospel Church. 

In a statement regarding the special prosecutor's investigation during the service on the 20th, Senior Pastor Lee stated his critical stance on the investigation, which is suspected of being a "parallel investigation," saying, "I have never made any mention or request of lobbying or asked for prayers or offered them in relation to this case, yet the investigation is proceeding." 

He further urged, "Please be vigilant not to commit the error of inverting the original purpose of the investigation, which is the protection of human rights and the revelation of truth," and emphasized, "In particular, the church is a sacred place for worship and prayer, and it is a place that pastors and believers must protect as more precious than life." 

He also expressed deep concern, stating, "Henceforth, no one should tarnish the sacred appearance of the church where God's presence resides. I hope that pastors will be respected." 

     Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn: "Many churches are afraid and not taking action... Please awaken your churches."

An rally condemning the Marine Corps special prosecutor's seizure and search of conservative church organizations was held near the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, at 6 p.m. on the 21st.