Arrest Warrant Sought for Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon Over 2025 Courthouse Riot Linked to Yoon Suk Yeol

The legal fallout from 2024's martial law crisis has reached a new boiling point. South Korean prosecutors just filed for an arrest warrant against Jeon Kwang-hoon, a firebrand conservative pastor, for his alleged role in inciting a violent courthouse riot a year ago.

Jeon Kwang-hoon Arrest Warrant 2026: Incitement Charges

According to sources and Yonhap News, prosecutors moved on January 8, 2026, to detain Jeon. They're investigating his involvement in the chaos at the Seoul Western District Court that took place on January 19, 2025. The riot erupted after judges decided to extend the detention of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced legal scrutiny for his controversial martial law declaration on December 3, 2024.

Jeon, who leads the Sarang Jeil Church, stands accused of encouraging his followers to trespass and obstruct official duties. It's reported that hundreds of pro-Yoon protesters stormed the building, leading to violent clashes with security and a significant disruption of the legal process.

Escalating Legal Pressure

This isn't an isolated case. Authorities have already slapped travel bans on several church leaders and conducted multiple raids on church facilities. One individual involved in the riot has already been slapped with a 5-year prison sentence. Prosecutors believe Jeon's rhetoric was the primary spark that turned a protest into a riot, though his legal team will likely argue for the protection of religious and political speech.