Nikkei Asia Online Capture.

Pastor James Daniel Shinn, a Korean-American who reported Lee Jae-myung's North Korean remittance case to the United States and the United Nations, made a shocking claim that "Lee Jae-myung could be arrested when he visits the United States for a bilateral meeting." 

When asked by a reporter about the bilateral meeting schedule during an international call with Hankookilbo on the 4th (local time), Pastor James Shinn said, "I know that a report has been filed against Lee Jae-myung (regarding North Korean remittances), so there's a 50/50 chance whether this person can enter (the U.S.)," and predicted as such. 

[Pastor James Shinn: "If you were to have a bilateral meeting with President Trump this time, how do you think Lee Jae-myung would be able to enter the U.S.? Or what do you think of the bilateral meeting itself?" Reporter: "I know a report has been filed against him... what do you think about his entry?" Pastor Shinn: "Given that a report has been filed, I think there's a 50/50 chance of him being able to enter."] 

He added, "If Lee Jae-myung comes to Washington D.C., it would be very shocking, as a court in Washington D.C. (District of Columbia) could issue an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung." 

[Pastor James Shinn: "However, if the report is completed and Lee Jae-myung comes to Washington D.C., it would be very shocking, as a court in Washington D.C. (District of Columbia) could issue an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung."] 

When the reporter asked if he meant a summons from the court with jurisdiction over the North Korean remittance case, he repeatedly emphasized, "I heard he could be arrested." 

[Pastor James Shinn: "So, the court in the District of Columbia, which has jurisdiction in Washington D.C., can request him to appear?" Reporter: "Yes, request him to appear and arrest him on the spot?" Pastor Shinn: "They can request him to appear, and I heard they can arrest him on the spot."] 

When asked if he thought there was a possibility of Lee Jae-myung's U.S. visit being disrupted if his remarks, made with certain grounds, were reported, he interpreted it as "That's why he is hiding in the back now." 

[Pastor James Shinn: "Since it's your opinion and not baseless speculation, if we report that something like that happened, would he be able to refuse to go to the U.S. even if summoned?" Reporter: "He might be able to refuse to go to the U.S. even if summoned." Pastor Shinn: "That's why he is hiding in the back now. In my opinion. (He's even taking a vacation while the country is in this state....)"] 

Regarding the reporter's phrase "refuse to go even if summoned," Pastor James Shinn had previously distinguished between the concepts of "voluntary visit" and "White House summons" at the beginning of the interview. 

Pastor James Shinn claimed that the White House's coordination of the South Korea-U.S. bilateral meeting was understood as the U.S. issuing a summons. 

[Pastor James Shinn: "Now they will order him to come. (For now) Because it has already been announced publicly. (Yes, yes) What people misunderstood is not 'come within two weeks' but 'announce within two weeks.' They will notify him within two weeks and have him come."] 

He predicted that even if the U.S. hosts Lee Jae-myung for a normal bilateral meeting, it would suffer political repercussions due to issues of equity. 

[Pastor James Shinn: "If Lee Jae-myung comes and has a normal summit meeting, the U.S. will suffer some damage. The U.S. will suffer some political damage, in my opinion. Then the U.S. will suffer some damage. Because if they accept him, they are 'accepting' the ruling party's cabinet, which is composed of criminals due to our country's issues, and everyone there is 'anti-American.' (Yes, it means acknowledging the legitimacy of the regime, right?) Yes, that's right."] 

Specifically, he argued that this is inconsistent with the reality of increasing private sector entry refusals due to stricter screening. He also suggested that Pastor Motan and lawyer Gordon Chang likely influenced the stricter entry screening. 

[Pastor James Shinn: "I believe Pastor Tan or Gordon Chang probably had a lot of influence on the entry screening. ( Pastor Tan, Ambassador Tan, or Gordon Chang played a role in refusing entry to the U.S. for those who are anti-China and anti-American.) I believe they were heavily involved. (You believe they were closely involved.) In the first instance, if they cited other reasons, it would be considered interference in internal affairs, so they absolutely couldn't do it, as politics wouldn't allow it. So, the second thing they could do is deny entry or create a diplomatic incident. In other words, it's a legal form of disrespect."] 

When asked about the internal sentiment within the White House, U.S. intelligence agencies, or the CIA regarding the Lee Jae-myung administration's trade negotiations, he frankly stated, "They see him as a petty criminal." 

[Pastor James Shinn: "(How do the White House, U.S. intelligence agencies, or the CIA view Lee Jae-myung regarding this trade negotiation?) They don't even care and just consider him a petty criminal. The CIA is currently dealing with several countries worldwide, so this issue concerning our country is not important. They see him as a petty criminal, yes, yes, yes. Anyway, they see him as a petty criminal. And they don't pay much attention, it's 'trash' to them. (Trash.)"] 

Pastor James Shinn plans to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) before the South Korea-U.S. bilateral meeting. 

He added, "President Trump may bring up Lee Jae-myung's criminal record during the bilateral meeting," and "The big event is starting now, and this is just the beginning." 

[Pastor James Shinn: "Depending on how much President Trump engages with our country here, there will be tremendous repercussions. He might say, 'You did this, but is that really true? You have five criminal convictions.' He might not go that far, but he could allude to it, like, 'Hey, I have a question for you, how did you do this?' He could subtly criticize him. (You mean he could talk about the North Korean remittances or election fraud?) Yes, he could say, 'There are rumors circulating that you were investigated from both sides, and even Europe knows about this. What's going on?' Then, what will Lee Jae-myung's side say? They can't just say, 'It wasn't me.' That's why I need to file this quickly before anything happens. My plan is to file with the ICC first. Once it's filed, it cannot be withdrawn. Yes, yes. Anyway, the big event is starting now, and this is just the beginning."]