(C) MBC
A routine police summons for controversial Jun Kwang-hoon took a chaotic turn today when a YouTuber's provocative question about his underwear triggered a torrent of expletives, shining a renewed spotlight on the pastor's infamous past comments.
Jun, the leader of Sarang Jeil Church, was appearing before the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Security Investigation Division as a suspect in a case involving the instigation of aggravated trespass and aggravated obstruction of justice concerning the "Seoul riot incident." The atmosphere was already tense as he stood before reporters to deliver a statement regarding the investigation.
The Inciting Incident: 'Sedition Underwear' Jibe
The flashpoint occurred while Jun was answering reporters' questions. A YouTuber, whose identity was not immediately confirmed, shouted an inflammatory taunt: "Pastor, what kind of underwear did you wear today?" The pastor initially reacted with agitation, demanding, "Be quiet," "Who is that person," and "Kick people like that out."
However, when the YouTuber escalated the provocation by yelling, "What kind of underwear did you wear? Did you wear the sedition underwear?" Jun lost all composure. He responded with a furious curse, shouting, "Be quiet, you son of a b*tch!" (“조용히 해 이 개XX아”). Visibly irate, Jun complained that such people made conducting a press conference impossible, openly expressing his displeasure. The use of a vulgar expletive in a public setting by a religious figure under police scrutiny has inevitably drawn sharp criticism and controversy.
A Lingering Shadow: The 2005 'Underwear' Controversy
The reason the YouTuber's taunt struck such a raw nerve is Jun's long history with the 'underwear' issue, a controversy that has dogged him for years. The incident today immediately brought back attention to his widely publicized remarks from 2005.
In that year, during a gathering of clergy at a church in Daegu, Jun allegedly made a highly contentious statement. The remarks were reported as being to the effect of: "If I tell a young female deacon to take off her underwear and she does it, she is my faithful member; if she refuses, she is not."
These comments sparked a major public outcry and widespread media coverage at the time. Jun Kwang-hoon, however, has consistently maintained that his words were severely distorted and taken out of context by the press. He countered the reports by claiming his intent was to emphasize that "a pastor should never exploit the trust of their members." He argues that the media deliberately edited his speech, omitting the preceding and subsequent context, thereby completely misrepresenting the intended message. He has reiterated this claim of misrepresentation numerous times since the original controversy.
Broader Context: Political and Legal Scrutiny
Jun Kwang-hoon is not just a religious figure but a powerful and controversial political force known for leading large-scale rallies and making extreme statements concerning domestic politics. His appearance at the Seoul Police Agency today was in connection with the turmoil following the recent alleged "Seoul riot incident." He faces serious allegations, including leading or instructing followers to engage in acts that violate public safety and order.
The confrontation with the YouTuber adds a new layer of sensationalism to an already high-stakes legal situation. While the police investigation focuses on the charges of aggravated trespass and obstruction of justice, the public focus has momentarily shifted to the pastor's volatile temperament and his history of controversy. Today's dramatic exchange only serves to fuel the continuous, often heated, debate surrounding Jun Kwang-hoon's actions, rhetoric, and overall influence on South Korean society and its political landscape.
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