▲ Riley Barnes (5th from R), assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor (DRL), and Julie Turner (4th from L), acting deputy assistant secretary of state for DRL, along with other U.S. officials, pose for a photo during their visit to Segero Church in Busan, led by Pastor Son Hyun-bo (5th from L), on June 7, 2026, in this photo provided by the church. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

US officials-Korean pastor

U.S. officials meet S. Korean pastor who led anti-impeachment rallies for Yoon

SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- Senior U.S. State Department officials recently met with a South Korean pastor who had led rallies opposing the impeachment of now-jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed marital law bid, according to a church Monday.

According to Segero Church, Riley Barnes, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor (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, some 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Sunday for a meeting with Senior Pastor Son Hyun-bo.

The church said the visit was arranged after the U.S. side reached out about a month ago, and added the two sides discussed a broad range of issues in South Korea.

According to the church, discussions covered a wide range of issues, including a proposed law on dissolving religious corporations and discussions on a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, among others.

Son also leads Save Korea, a conservative Christian civic group that spearheaded rallies opposing Yoon's impeachment following his failed martial law bid in December of 2024.

The pastor 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.

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