South Korean Pastor Arrested for a Sermon — His Son Reveals What Really Happened | EP 12

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In this episode of the Trusted Voice Podcast, I sit down with Chance Son, the son of a well-known South Korean pastor who was arrested, held without bail, and placed in solitary confinement — not for violence or financial misconduct, but for asking three questions during a 9-minute interview at his church. His father had already been on the government's radar for leading the historic 1027 worship event, which mobilized over a million people to oppose South Korea's comprehensive anti-discrimination law — legislation that would effectively silence pastors from speaking biblical truth.

Chance shares the harrowing details of his father's 145-day detention, the around-the-clock CCTV surveillance in his cell, and the political pressure that ultimately led to his release — including a pivotal meeting between South Korea's Prime Minister and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, where his father's case was personally mentioned. Chance also opens up about the broader war being waged against the Korean church, the threat to close his sister's Christian school, and why he believes what happened in South Korea is a warning America cannot afford to ignore.

This conversation is a raw, firsthand account of faith under fire — and a powerful reminder that silence is not an option. If you believe in freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the courage it takes to stand for truth, this episode is for you. Please share it, pray for the Sun family and the church in South Korea, and remember: the battle for biblical freedom is not just happening overseas.

Chapters:
00:00 — South Korea's War on the Church: The Wake-Up Call
02:59 — How a Million-Person Worship Event Put a Target on His Father's Back
05:59 — The 9-Minute Interview That Led to a Pastor's Arrest
08:59 — Solitary Confinement and 24/7 Surveillance: The Price of Speaking Truth
11:59 — Are Korean Pastors Too Afraid to Speak Out?
14:59 — VP Vance Steps In: How U.S. Pressure Freed a Jailed Pastor
17:59 — Christian Schools Under Siege and Could This Happen in America?
20:59 — Obeying God Rather Than Man: The Faith Behind the Fight
23:59 — Charlie Kirk, Courage, and a Connection That Changed Everything
26:58 — A Legacy of Faith: Closing Prayers, Final Words, and a Global Call to Stand

Transcript

0:00

We are realizing what's actually happening, uh, that we are becoming more of a North Korea China where there are churches but uh being watched and monitored every time and uh being watched, being monitored, uh what can be preached preached about. So uh we are we are uh being awakening, awakened um gradually. This is Trusted Voice, delivering uncompromised truth, shining a light on heroes who are boldly fulfilling their destiny by walking in their true identity. Here's your host, Naomi Van Wyck. Well, welcome back to the Trusted Voice Podcast. I am so honored to have coming in all the way live from South Korea, Chance's son, who I had the privilege of meeting just a few months ago. You are gonna be so inspired to hear his story and what his dad and his family have been through. His father was arrested, if you can believe it, after giving a sermon at his church in South Korea. Chance, welcome to the Trusted Voice podcast. Thanks for getting up extra early. I know it's about 6 a.m. your time, but um we're just so excited to have you here. Please tell our audience what happened, what first led to your dad's arrest. Because I know he didn't just give a sermon and was arrested. He was on the radar of the government because he'd already been um a well-known figure in the area for taking a stand for parental rights and um education. So tell us a little bit about your dad and then tell us what was the final straw, yes, that broke the camel's back, that uh that led to his arrest. Because this is a Christian country. I mean, this is an ally of the US. You know, when I tell people a little bit about your story, they think I must be talking about North Korea. And so to have this happen in South Korea is unprecedented. So yes, we're so honored to have you here and look forward to hearing about your dad. It's just a wild story. Yeah. First of all, thank you so much for having me. Um and so the context is that my until the COVID lockdown, my father has always been known as a special forces pastor and someone uh is dedicated to evangelism. And uh going back the last 15 years, Segura Church, where my father is a senior pastor at, the average number of uh baptisms that happened that was conducted was 800 for 800 people uh every year. And until then, until the COVID lockdown, uh my father was just you know more of a known figure for evangelism. However, uh, when the government said that worshiping is not essential, my father stood up against that. And my father's church, Sagarit Church, was the only megachurch that opposed that policy. And because of that, my father has been charged uh more than 20 times. And he's still going through lawsuits uh for that. And ever since then, my father has been basically the symbolic figure uh among the Christian conservatives. And uh a few years after, in 2024, that was there was a 10th, 27 United Worship uh where uh there was a million people mobilized to oppose a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, to oppose the so-called LGBT law, and also Save Korean movement that also mobilized hundreds hundreds of thousands of people. So for the Democrat-led government, uh my father has been the threat and one of the biggest um yeah, power that they wanted to take out. And the initial charge actually that led to my father's arrest was not violence, was not corruption, was not financial misconduct. It was actually a nine-minute interview with a candidate of superintendent of education in Bhutan. He simply asked three questions. One was school choice, his views on the parental rights, and also about the so-called comprehensive anti-discrimination law. And because of that, it was considered as an illegal electioneering, and he got sued by the election committee, a national election committee, and he got the arrest, got arrest, arrest warrant got approved because the flight risk, which was also observed, observed, but he has been targeted. So uh he's it he's been targeted. So that's basically what I what how he happened and why he has been detained on September 8th uh last year. So he was already on their radar, let's say, on their their watch list because of it was called 1027 worship. Is that that right? Where he he mobilized a million people on October 27th? And and what was what were you all taking a stand for then? It was a worship event. Worship event to oppose the legislation of the comprehensive anti-discrimination law. Because in Korea, we already have 20 plus individual anti-discrimination law, but this comprehensive anti-dis-discrimination law would basically be a hate speech for the pastors to say which is sinful, which is not, and maybe say say something like gay marriage is against against the uh the Bible and also against God. Something like that could be seen as a discrimination, uh, which of course silence the pastors and churches and uh the truth-speaking uh Christians. Wow, wow. And you know, he he's not a candidate, he's not running for office, and he was in a church sermon in his church speaking, yet they they came and arrested him for having this discussion. Is that correct? Yes. And and so was he surprised? Like, what did that look like when that that happened? I I've read some interesting things about the actual arrest. And were you present and what did it look like? And where did they take him? And what was his actual charge? What did they actually charge him with? So the charge was election law violation, as they are, they were uh claiming that my father was illegally electioneering, uh, where he was asking questions to the candidate uh on uh using the microphone and speaker. Because in Korean uh election law act, you're not allowed to use the sound system, the P system. Um so they were basic the so they are basically weaponizing the the law. And um uh on the actually on the arrest uh on the on the day when the arrest warrant got approved, I wasn't present because I not only I lived in different cities, I work in Seoul. Um I work in the private sector. Um however a lot of lawyers, uh former judges, and also legal experts, uh they all said that there's almost 0% my father would get arrested. Uh the arrests weren't get approved because when you look at the legal precedents for the election law violation, uh even the candidates, uh, unless you use severe violence or you get you know million dollars of financial misconduct or something, you never get, you almost never get uh arrested for that. However, my father not being the candidate, just speaking, you know, asking questions, uh no one believed that my father would have gotten arrested, but looking at the due processes and also how the legal um processes went since my father's arrest, the detention review, bail hearing, um, all the results that would come out, the first hearing, everything, um, you know, it directed to uh the tension of the of the political or politicized um judicial system right now. Wow, and what um what were his conditions like when he was arrested? How did they treat him? Yeah, so uh my father was held in uh solitary confinement, and um during his detention there were several um troubling aspects. However, uh there's one example that stands out. Um there were CCTV cameras installed in uh solitary confinement cells. I mean, first off, it's just crazy he'd be in solitary confinement, like he is this crazy criminal. Yes, exactly. Cameras were installed? Yeah, cameras were installed, and uh, it's a normal practice, by the way. However, in other cases, even the next two inmates, uh, someone who's in a uh people on death row, uh, even their cameras were are partially covered to allow minimal privacy. However, my father's cell, the confined uh the cell chair confinements was monitored 24-7 for months. And although the lawyers and my father um complained about that, uh being monitored and being uh being told to uh stand up, stand down, and things like that, um, there were significant complaints, complaints uh complaints from uh Christian conservatives, and that led them to partially cover the camera after months of monitoring and surveilling my father. And for a pastor with no history of violence, no flight risk, um, the treatment was all excessive and uh did it intended to send a message to not only to my father, the family, the church, but also other pastors, what would be happening to them if they speak out and also if they stand um stand uh firm in faith and they oppose the government policies that are anti-biblical? They were using your dad as a an example, uh basically as a threat. As a threat. So, because of that, what are other pastors thinking? Do you feel like they are now more afraid to speak out, or do they have courage and boldness seeing your father's example? How has it affected the other churches in the city and surrounding areas and and the whole nation, really? Yeah, so I believe uh so um to give you a little bit of background for Korean churches, uh, I believe that only 20 to 30 percent of the Christians are um so-to-call leftist. And so, of course, they would be pushing gay marriage, um, you know, uh surveilling parental rights over education and the LSBT law and things like that. However, majority of Christians are conservatives, so believing in Bible truths. However, um even the conservative pastors, senior pastors, are not able to speak out boldly because there would be still some um congregants that are, you know, they want that don't want to be involved in politics and also that uh that are leftist. So they're afraid to speak out. However, compared to the the the time before my father's arrest, there has been a lot of a lot more bold, uh boldly speaking pastors speaking out. And also people are realizing, the pastors are realizing what's at stake. And you know, there are a lot of legislations being happening that are that have intention to close down the church, also being the uh having the assets and the properties of the church to be transferred to the state, and things like that. You know, the investigations and raids without warrants, uh things like that. So I we are realizing what's actually happening, uh, that we are becoming more of a North Korea China where there are churches but uh being watched and monitored every time and uh being watched, being monitored, uh what can be preached uh preached about. So uh we are we are being awakening, awakened um gradually. Um so so this uh I believe there are there there there's hope uh in this land. There is hope. Well, it sounds like this was a big wake-up call to to the country and to other pastors that you can't keep silent, you have to continue to fight and use your voice and run into the face of evil and be willing to be arrested. Now, what your your dad is out now, right? He's been released. Yes. And I know you came to the US. How did he what led to him being released? And how long was he in in prison under those really awful conditions? Yeah, so my father has been arrested and detained without bail. Um yeah. However, one week before my father's trial, uh so the background is that my father so there was a news New Year conference uh that was held by the president Li Jem Myung of South Korea, and he singled out about my father's sermon, and also he said that uh there has to be an unbrooting of any religious belief or uh speech um that related to politics, um, misinterpreting the separation of church and state. And um, you know, I we believed that that was the rationale that they wanted to build up uh for my father's uh expand uh extended um detention. However, my father was released uh after 145 days of um being arrested for. Uh we believe that because uh one week before, uh my my brother Jung and I were in DC and we were able to brief uh my father's case and what's been happening in South Korea, uh how the government is anti-America and uh pro-China, if anything. And uh and there was a meeting between the Prime Minister Kim of South Korea and Vice President Vance. And uh Vice President Vance uh actually mentioned by my father during that meeting, and that news broke out, and uh I believe that that put a lot of pressure um into the Korean government and also the politicized judicial system. And also there were two senior officials from the State Department uh during the uh at the court at the court uh during the trial, and that also put a lot of pressure uh to the judge. So um yeah, during the trial, until the order, um all the evidences and all the you know things were directing to South. However, uh when the judge uh read the order, uh it was uh six-month imprisonment with 12 months of probation, which means that he will be released. However, for the next 12 months, if my father does anything related to the election law violation or he speaks uh something that the government doesn't want, doesn't like, uh, that my father can be uh put back into jail. But because of the State Department and also um the US, my father was able to uh be released because of the pressure. So we are so grateful. Um not you know, because Americ America, um there were American missionaries 140 years ago sent to South Korea that basically founded the uh spiritual route. And also, you know, how you guys helped the Korean War liberating South Korea. Because when you look at North Korea and South Korea, the only difference is um you know, is the political system. Right free speech, freedom of religion. However, Korea right now is one of the most uh powerful economy uh in the world, and I believe that that's all God and also uh freedom-loving um soldiers that you guys that that you bled and um that that you guys fought for us. So really grateful back then and and even personally uh uh allowing my father to be back home and to be able to uh minister the the congregation, also the community uh back to normal. Well, it shows the impact of um standing with one another and fighting for one another. And you know, that's why we were saying earlier on the show with our previous guest, you know, a house united versus a house divided, and what can happen? And so I'm so glad that you were able to come and you know be in DC and that pressure helped release your dad. Um, so is he's back home with you. How on a personal level has this affected? So you have, I know you have one brother. Do you have any other siblings? I also have an older sister. Uh she's yeah. And so she's she's yeah, sorry. She's uh vice principal at the Segura Unam Christian Academy, where the government is also looking to close the education um institution, uh because we are new, we are not politically neutral, that we are uh we are teaching the biblical principles and that biblical being biblical is not neutral uh in politics. So uh they have not only rejected the accreditation, although they're now funding the government, uh the school, uh they are looking to um uh close down the school. So we are fighting fiercefully, and uh we are there are a lot of battles that we are fighting, but yeah, my father my sister is in charge of that. The so you're saying the Christian school does not take any government funding, but the government is still looking at closing the school down. Yeah, because it's not following their guidelines basically. And would you say what's happening in Korea could happen in the US? Definitely, because uh this happened this has been happening over just one year. Um if you guys, you know, and this is just one um just so if if the election goes b bad the the result goes bad, um it's where all the legislations and the the executive orders happen. So um we we we really have to keep raising our voices and we really have to realize what's at stake. Of cour of course it's important to uh uh feed ourselves every day, you know, provide for our family, but if there is no uh free freedom or free speech uh in the future, uh nothing matters, right? So I I believe that I believe that this is a good example that uh America can take a look at and please pray for us and also pray for yourselves and keep raising voices and keep fighting for the truth and uh you know find candidate that's more biblical and that's not gonna oppose what God um uh likes and uh what he would like to uh for us to do. So uh yeah, for us to be awakened. Have you or your dad thought about running for office? Uh not really. Personally, I'm more of a more of a I work as a strategy manager, so I I I am more of a business guy, I think. And my my my father in Korea, uh, there are not that many pastors that uh run for the the election. However, uh my father has as from from what I know, he has no intention to run for office uh because he loves ministering. Also, uh he believes that as a pastor he has uh a lot more blessing to um you know to minister the shepherd. So probably not. But if the time comes, uh we will step up, but maybe not in the road. And um what what do you see on a broader sense the role of the church as it relates to culture, as it relates to government? And if your dad was here, what what would he say? What is what's the role of the church in a national crisis? Yeah, so um from COVID era, my father always said uh we must obey God rather than man, uh, like the Bible verse, Acts uh chapter 5, 20, uh verse 29 says. And um, there were a lot of criticism criticism even among Christians during COVID. Why are you worshiping? Why are you opening the churches? Uh, why you keep your churches open? Things like that. However, my father disregarded all the noises, and he only listened to God. Uh, he only followed, obeyed God, and that really changed my life, and that really changed my faith journey as well. So, whatever people say about me, or whatever the power has uh any control over me or my life, uh we know that as you said earlier, this is a good fight that we have to fight, and God has already won the battle. So we just have to be faithful and just be courageous. Because one day we will, you know, close our eyes and face God. We'll live this land, but we're not gonna leave anything behind. It's just gonna be faith. And that's what God will question me, I believe. So I'm just reminding myself that we must speak for God, not for not even for myself, my family. Not any power, but for God only. And I believe that this will change a lot of people's lives as well as it has been to me. Yes, yes. Well, that's well said. One of my last questions I like to ask is what is the legacy that you feel God has for you to leave? And you sort of were answering that. But is there any any closing thoughts? One of how we can be praying for you and your dad and your family and the church in Korea. And and any closing thoughts of the legacy that you want to leave for generations to come? Yeah, so uh these battles will be uh, you know, we will always go through the battles like this. Um however, uh just uh going back to our heart, uh, what are our intentions, what our callings in this life, in this land is uh for us to do. And um so from the first day, uh first Sunday service uh ever since my father got released from the first Sunday he he got back, um he has been basically um uh uh uh educating uh um us and also the conservative Christians about the um separation of church and state. Because the Korean government right now right now is uh misinterpreting and also misleading the concept of a separation of church and state, how the church cannot speak anything about the government, you know, where it should be the other way around. Um looking at the history of America as well, how it was coined by Thomas Jeff uh President Thomas Jefferson. So we are fighting this fight to awaken a lot of people, and it's been uh already working for the last few weeks, and um the legacy I want to leave, and I believe my dad wants to leave, is nothing worldly, but our faith. Um that will be everlasting and uh where uh our father up in the heaven all will be proud of. So that's something that I want to leave behind. Yes, amen. Well, we uh we did a legacy Charlie Kirk Legacy miniseries on here, and uh, just want to touch on that. I just felt that on my heart because Charlie Kirk was at your dad's church, if I understand that. There you go, I should have mine on. Yes, this is the only accessory that I wear, and um this is made of rubber, but uh people ask me why you're wearing that, but it's a Charlie Kirk courage, uh courage for my faith. And it's been my legacy as well. So he was at your father's church, correct? Well, actually, uh there was a conference um where my father met Charlie uh in the backstage, but it wasn't it wasn't my father's church. Okay, but Charlie was there shortly before your dad was arrested. Yes, two days before uh my father was arrested, and that was that was only four days before uh Charlie got assassinated, which broke our whole family, um broke our heart. Yes. I yeah, and my dad and I um both briefly met with Charlie, and we were so uh we were so surprised, we were so amazed, we are in awe um how strong his spirit was, and uh he was an amazing uh person. Um such a loss for us. Yes. Well, what a blessing and honor that you got to see him, meet him, be with him. And um, I believe some some of his courage just got imparted and passed down to you and to your family, and that you were you were the last place he really was before he went to his next home in heaven. And um, I love that you're wearing that bracelet. And I I believe that um that that courage and that boldness is with you and with your family, and you all are a bright and shining light for all of South Korea. And I'm just thinking, you know, a city on a city on a hill for the world to see that you cannot back down, you cannot shrink back, and that you're I know your dad's not going to, and you're not going to, that he's not afraid to go back to prison if that's what it takes, right? I mean, and so you guys are are on the front lines, and um, so we just we just bless you, we honor you, we honor your dad and your whole family, and we just we plead the blood of Jesus over you that no weapon forged against you would prevail in the mighty name of Jesus, and that this story, this testimony would continue to echo around the world of what we're called as Christians to to be and do, the the salt of the earth, and that we would learn from you and your dad and your example to continue to carry the torch and to stand up for Jesus, and that um as you and your dad want the legacy to be of faith to be passed down, that that would be true of all of us, that we would run the fight and um finish the race well. And I I know that that is what you and your dad and your family is doing. And so um, any any last parting words that you want to share, share with us, and and thank you again for getting up extra early and and coming on the show. And I I'm so glad I had the honor to meet you, I guess, back in December. And I know we have a few mutual friends and look forward to the next time our paths cross in person. Um, but yes, any any parting words for us, Chance? Uh I was just so blessed by how much support and prayers uh Korea and my father were getting. And um it really, really touched my heart personally, because um, you know, as the Bible verses say, uh, you know, that we must pray for our brothers and Christ, uh sisters in Christ, and also we have to fight each other's fight. And uh we have different skin colors, obviously, and we speak different languages, we have different cultures, but we have the same faith. Um and uh that really touched my heart, and uh I was so so grateful. I can't I'm not I'm not someone that cries a lot, but I can't even count how many times I had to cry because I was so touched by Americans' prayers and uh support. So um, so I I just want to show my deepest gratitude to uh everyone that uh is fighting the fight together, that um I want to fight your fight together. So um you're you guys are in a bare uh a lot better uh time right now compared to the old days. Um and we are going through hardships, but uh it it can be back and forth, right? So uh we really want to build on this alliance, faith alliance and coalition. So uh I'm just I'm just so thankful and please keep praying for uh South Korea and uh for the fruit for freedom and faith to reveal uh to keep re being revealed in South Korea. So uh thank you so much. And that that's all I have to say. Well, I think of the verse in Matthew blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. So blessings to you and your family, and thank you for taking a stand. And thank you for joining us on Trusted Voice Podcast. You were created for an amazing destiny. Now go live it out. We'll see you next time. Thank you so much. Thank you, Chance. 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