Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Segero Church in Busan, who led rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, met U.S. President Donald Trump on Aug. 7.
Segero Church said on its website on Aug. 8 that Son visited the White House with his family, where he met Trump and also visited the White House Faith Office. Photos released by the church show U.S. conservative Christian pastor Rob McCoy accompanying Son. McCoy is believed to have helped arrange the meeting.
The church said Son spoke about South Korea and the Korean church and exchanged views with Trump on protecting freedom and religious faith, but did not disclose details of their conversation.
In a video titled “After Meeting President Trump at the White House,” Son said, “Our free Republic of Korea is facing difficulties in many areas, but I believe our church members and all our citizens must work together to defend freedom.”
Son has been in the United States since July 13 at the invitation of U.S. Christian groups and is scheduled to remain there until Aug. 14. He said he had met officials from several U.S. government agencies, politicians, senators and pastors from major churches. The church also said Son appeared on U.S. Christian radio programs to discuss the situation facing churches in South Korea and religious freedom.
Son leads the Protestant group Save Korea and was a prominent organizer of rallies opposing Yoon’s impeachment. He was arrested and indicted on charges of illegal campaigning during last year’s Busan superintendent of education by-election and presidential election. A court sentenced him to six months in prison earlier this year.
Son has also met U.S. government officials to raise concerns about legislation on the dissolution of religious corporations and a comprehensive anti-discrimination law.
U.S. officials have continued to show interest in the issues. In June, Riley Barnes, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; Julie Turner, acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; and Belsis Romero, a liaison with the White House Faith Office, visited Segero Church in Busan and met Son. Son also met State Department adviser Michael Needham and others in February.
South Korea’s conservative Christian groups have continued to use contacts with the Trump administration to convey criticism of the South Korean government. Such contacts could further complicate South Korea-U.S. relations at a time when ties have already become sensitive over issues including South Korean investment in the United States and Coupang.
Posted by Freewhale98