Pastor Choi Jae-young appeared at the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency on June 24 to be questioned regarding charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.
He arrived at the police station at around 9:50 AM and made a statement to the press.
Statements on Election Law Violation Charges
Pastor Choi stated, "It's a big mistake for Rep. Lee Chul-gyu of the People Power Party to tie me to election law violation charges unrelated to the 'Dior bag' incident." He added, "They're trying to defend President Yoon Seok-yeol and First Lady Kim Kun-hee, but this only reveals more suspicions to the public and harms Mrs. Kim."
Regarding his comments during a lecture about Rep. Lee receiving preferential treatment from Mrs. Kim, Choi explained, "I briefly mentioned it in the public domain based on information I received. The focus of my remarks was on Mrs. Kim, not defaming Rep. Lee."
Position on Illegal Election Campaign Charges
Pastor Choi also denied allegations of conducting illegal election campaigns ahead of the 22nd National Assembly elections (April 10 general election). He stated, "Given that Mrs. Kim's hometown is Yangpyeong, I said that a candidate who had lived in the area for decades was the right person to thoroughly investigate suspicions about Mrs. Kim." He clarified, "I made these remarks in a public lecture hall, not in a church, and I did not tell people to vote for a specific candidate."
Post-Interrogation Comments
After approximately nine hours of police questioning, Choi addressed the press again at around 7 PM, stating, "Most of my lectures are on topics like unification, inter-Korean relations, and North Korea-U.S. issues. I gave a purely academic lecture, but they accused me of violating the election law." He further claimed, "I am also being investigated for stalking at Seocho Police Station next month, but such charges are unfounded. There seems to be an intention to entangle me in unrelated incidents to wear me down."
Background and Additional Charges
Pastor Choi faces allegations of illegal election campaigning for Choi Jae-kwan, a former Democratic Party candidate for the Yeoju-Yangpyeong district, during a lecture in Yangpyeong County last February ahead of the April 10 general election. He is also accused of defaming Rep. Lee Chul-gyu and Mrs. Kim Kun-hee during a lecture in Yeoju last March.
Furthermore, Choi has been investigated by Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul for breaking and entering related to the incident where he gave luxury bags to Mrs. Kim. He is also under investigation by Seocho Police Station for violating the Stalking Punishment Act due to secretly filming and distributing videos of Mrs. Kim. Additionally, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office is investigating him for bribery, breaking and entering, and obstructing official duties through fraud in connection with giving gifts to Mrs. Kim and making illicit requests.
This complex case involving various charges against Pastor Choi has garnered significant public attention, and the outcomes of the ongoing investigations are highly anticipated.
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