Pastor Son Hyun-bo Says 'Freedom in Korea in Peril' After Meeting Trump

Pastor Son Hyun-bo of the Busan Sarang Jeil Church, a leading figure in rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on the 7th (local time). According to Sarang Jeil Church, Pastor Son visited the White House with his family to converse with President Trump, accompanied by Pastor Rob McCoy, a prominent American conservative Christian figure believed to have arranged the meeting.

Pastor Son stated that he conveyed messages regarding South Korea and the Korean church during the meeting and shared opinions on upholding values of freedom and faith, though he did not disclose specific details of the conversation. Via video, he stated, "Free Korea is facing difficulties in many ways, but the people must unite to preserve freedom."

Pastor Son is visiting the U.S. from the 13th of last month until the 14th at the invitation of the American church community. During this period, he has met with U.S. government officials, senators, and key church leaders, and appeared on radio broadcasts to explain the situation in Korea and issues regarding religious freedom. This gathering marks a high-level contact following Pastor Son's consecutive meetings with officials from the U.S. State Department and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in June and February. This aligns with his political activities, having been detained last year on illegal election campaign charges before being released earlier this year after receiving a suspended sentence.

Meanwhile, moves by the conservative Christian community to contact the Trump administration and convey critical stances against the government could negatively affect South Korea-U.S. relations, which have become sensitive regarding U.S. investment.