On the 19th (local time), the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump refrained from commenting on the first-instance life sentence handed down to former President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection, describing it as “a judicial matter for South Korea.” However, it expressed concern over reports that American companies and religious figures are being targeted for politically motivated attacks in South Korea.
A senior White House official, responding to an inquiry from The Hankyoreh regarding Yoon’s sentencing, stated, “We take no position on judicial matters in South Korea,” but added, “We remain concerned about reports of politically motivated attacks in South Korea, particularly those targeting religious figures or American companies.” The official thus separately raised the issue of what was described as “persecution of U.S. businesses and religious leaders,” which is not directly related to Yoon’s sentencing.
This appears to be an extension of concerns previously expressed by Vice President J.D. Vance, who last month met with South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and conveyed worries regarding the so-called Coupang controversy and matters involving Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Busan’s Segyero Church.
Posted by Freewhale98
2 Comments
1. Summary
Trump administration is silent on Yoon’s conviction but launches attack on Korea over its handling of Coupang and heretical cults.
2. How is this related to sub
(1) Globalized far-right: This clearly indicates a global solidarity of extremist evangelicals, but Yoon is not part of it. I think it has to something to do with snubbing Donald Trump’s son at the summer of 2024 when he visited Korea related to some crypto coin business. It might be my memory being wrong but I vaguely remember some prominent DPK politicians met with Trump’s son and gave him warm welcome while no one showed up from Yoon administration, gaining some criticism from media for only betting on Biden/Kamala victory.
3. Context
This is related to ongoing boycotts against Coupang over its privacy breach & industrial accidents and “war on heretics”.
“War on heretics” refers to recent police campaign to strength the separation between church and state. Korean authorities arrested several extremist evangelical pastors for inciting xenophobic riots and meddling elections. pastor Son has been already convicted got and 6 month jail time over endorsing candidates in his prayer service. Other heretical cults such as Moonies, shamans and Shincheonji are also facing scrutiny over their corrupt collusion with politicians. This greatly enraged US Vice President J.D. Vance, who was critical of Moonie crackdown in Japan and Korea.
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Coupang is genuinely getting into my nerves, I really hope SK relatiates against their top brass after trying to coax the USA into invading them.