US officials meet South Korean pastor who led pro-Yoon rallies amid trial verdict
Synopsis
Days before a South Korean court delivers its verdict on former President Yoon Suk Yeol — with prosecutors demanding a 30-year sentence — senior US State Department officials quietly visited Busan to meet the pastor who led the pro-Yoon conservative rallies. The timing raises pointed questions about Washington's signals to a politically fractured Seoul.
Key Takeaways
Riley Barnes and Julie Turner of the US State Department DRL, along with White House faith liaison Belsis Romero , met Senior Pastor Son Hyun-bo in Busan on 8 June 2025 .
Pastor Son leads Save Korea , the conservative Christian group that organised rallies opposing Yoon Suk Yeol 's impeachment after his failed martial law bid in December 2024 .
Son was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for one year , on charges of illegal election campaigning.
The Seoul Central District Court is set to deliver its verdict on Yoon on Friday , on charges including benefiting the enemy and abuse of authority.
A special counsel team has demanded a 30-year prison term for former President Yoon.
Senior US State Department officials recently visited Busan, South Korea, to meet with a prominent pastor who led conservative rallies opposing the impeachment of now-jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to Segero Church on Monday, 8 June 2025. The visit underscores Washington's continued engagement with South Korean civil society at a sensitive moment — days before a court is set to deliver a landmark verdict in Yoon's criminal trial.
Who Attended the Meeting
Riley Barnes, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour (DRL), and Julie Turner, acting deputy assistant secretary of state for DRL, along with White House faith liaison Belsis Romero, visited the church in Busan — approximately 330 kilometres southeast of Seoul — on Sunday for a meeting with Senior Pastor Son Hyun-bo. The church said the US side had reached out approximately one month prior to arrange the visit.
What Was Discussed
According to Segero Church, the discussions covered a broad range of issues in South Korea, including a proposed law on dissolving religious corporations and debates around a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, among others. The church did not detail whether Yoon's ongoing legal proceedings were raised during the meeting.
Who Is Pastor Son Hyun-bo
Pastor Son Hyun-bo also heads Save Korea, a conservative Christian civic group that spearheaded large-scale rallies opposing Yoon's impeachment following his failed martial law bid on 3 December 2024. Notably, Son himself faces legal jeopardy: he was indicted on charges of conducting illegal election campaigning during last year's presidential election and was sentenced earlier this year to six months in prison, suspended for one year.
Yoon's Trial: Verdict Expected This Week
The timing of the US visit coincides with a critical juncture in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's trial. The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to hold a hearing on Friday on charges that include benefiting the enemy and abuse of authority. Yoon is accused of ordering the South Korean military to fly drones over Pyongyang in October 2024 as a pretext to declare martial law on 3 December 2024. A special counsel team led by Cho Eun-suk has demanded a 30-year prison term for the former president.
Broader Significance
The US delegation's decision to meet a figure central to South Korea's conservative, pro-Yoon movement — while senior American officials were simultaneously engaging on human rights and religious freedom — raises questions about Washington's signalling at a time when South Korea's political landscape remains deeply polarised. This comes amid broader US scrutiny of democratic backsliding and civil liberties concerns across allied nations. The verdict expected this week could further inflame political tensions in Seoul.
Point of View
The optics will not be lost on either side of South Korea's polarised political divide.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did US State Department officials visit South Korea's Busan?
Senior US DRL officials Riley Barnes and Julie Turner, along with White House faith liaison Belsis Romero, visited Busan on 8 June 2025 to meet Senior Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Segero Church. According to the church, discussions covered South Korean domestic issues including a proposed law on dissolving religious corporations and a comprehensive anti-discrimination law.
Who is Pastor Son Hyun-bo and why is he significant?
Son Hyun-bo is the Senior Pastor of Segero Church in Busan and the head of Save Korea, a conservative Christian civic group that led large rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. He was also sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for one year, on charges of illegal election campaigning during last year's presidential election.
What charges does former President Yoon Suk Yeol face?
Yoon Suk Yeol faces charges including benefiting the enemy and abuse of authority. He is accused of ordering the South Korean military to fly drones over Pyongyang in October 2024 as a pretext to declare martial law on 3 December 2024. A special counsel team has demanded a 30-year prison term.
When will the court deliver its verdict on Yoon Suk Yeol?
The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to hold a hearing on Friday, following which it is expected to deliver its verdict on the charges against Yoon Suk Yeol.
What was Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid?
On 3 December 2024, former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in South Korea, a move that was swiftly reversed by the National Assembly. The failed bid led to his impeachment and subsequent arrest; he remains jailed pending the court's verdict.
