South Korea (International Christian Concern) — A week after Pastor Son Hyun-bo from Busan Segyeoro Church was arrested for violating public election laws, little information has been made public about his well-being or whereabouts.

Pastor Son, who was arrested on Sept. 8, is facing the charges in part for allegedly interviewing an election candidate, Jeong Seung-yoon, during a church service and uploading a video of the conversation to social media. He also faces allegations of holding a “prayer service for victory” at Jeong’s campaign office and stating, “We must vote for the right-wing candidate and truly establish God’s kingdom.”

Pastor Son has been active in contending against government overreach, including serving as a leader of the “Save Korea” group, which campaigns against the current left-leaning South Korean president, prime minister, and Democratic Party, who are in power.

The outcry against Pastor Son’s arrest has been strong. On Sept. 14, several representatives from the opposition conservative People Power Party attended a church service at Pastor Son’s Busan Segyoro Church to show support.

One representative stated openly that, “Pastor Son’s arrest is not about an individual but a suppression of all religious figures.”

There is growing concern from conservative Christians in South Korea that the current progressive government is targeting and suppressing specific Christian communities, especially with several recent cases of conservative Christian pastors and leaders having their homes raided by government special investigation teams in relation to an investigation of a South Korean marine.

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