As President Donald Trump continued his tour of Asia this week by striking a new trade deal with South Korea, a pastor’s son is urging the U.S. to advocate for the release of his imprisoned father and for religious freedom to prevail once more in a country that has seen a rise in Christian persecution in a once vibrant democracy.

Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday and reportedly hammered out a trade deal in which both sides agreed to “reduce reciprocal tariffs from 25% to 15%.” In addition, South Korea agreed to invest $350 billion in the U.S., including a $200 billion cash investment and $150 billion in shipbuilding. However, there was apparently no mention during the meeting of the multiple Christian pastors who have been imprisoned under the administration of Lee.

As noted by conservative leaders such as New Gingrich, several pastors and religious leaders in South Korea have been imprisoned or had their properties raided in recent months, including Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Segero Presbyterian Church, Hak Ja Han Moon of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, Pastor Lee Younghoon of Yoido Full Gospel Church, and Pastor Jang Hwan “Billy” Kim, a former translator for Billy Graham and chairman of the Far East Broadcasting Co.

The case of Pastor Son Hyun-bo has gained considerable attention, as Lee’s liberal administration targeted Son for allegedly campaigning illegally for a political candidate on church property. On Wednesday, the pastor’s son Chance Son joined “Washington Watch” to discuss his father’s arrest and the reasons behind his persecution.

“[M]y father is a senior pastor of a church located in Busan, one of Korea’s most influential evangelical churches, with up to 10,000 weekly attendees on Sundays,” he explained. “… [H]e took a very struggling rural congregation of 20 people and grew into this major church through evangelism and community service. And he’s also known for personal integrity, as he has never accepted an honorarium. That’s very common in Korea when you go to a funeral or go to revival, however, he’s never taken it. He also donated all book proceeds to ministry.”

Son went on to detail how the government is justifying his father’s imprisonment for supposed election law violations.

“He’s been arrested ever since September 8th, 2025 for alleged illegal actions [of] electioneering,” Son described. “As prosecutors claim, sermons, prayer meetings, and microphone and YouTube uploads are ‘disguised campaign rallies.’ In reality, there is no direct call to vote. However, because he invited a candidate for the Superintendent of Education in Busan [to speak and] simply asking him two questions [on] his views regarding freedom in education and also LGBTQ education that’s been affecting our families and children — that’s basically what the charges are. [The questions lasted] under nine minutes, and he invited the candidate onto the pulpit after the sermon service. [They’re claiming he committed] illegal electioneering for using the PA system, because under the election law, you’re not allowed to use [a] PA system [to] endorse a candidate, even though he was just simply asking him questions.”

Son further contended that his father is being persecuted for resisting COVID lockdowns and standing up for Christian values in South Korea’s public square. “He’s facing 16 lawsuits right now for simply holding worship during COVID restrictions [and] opposing anti-biblical homosexuality laws, the comprehensive anti-discrimination law, and also opposing the tyranny that the Democrats are doing in Korea right now.”

During the COVID pandemic, Son explained, “the government was telling churches to hold only five worshippers or 20 worshippers, depending on the time period. A lot of Korean churches complied with that. However, my father’s church … was the only megachurch that did not comply with that, because it was absurd to only allow five worshipers in a church [that] can contain up to 7,000 members. … [M]y father’s church conducted service[s] with … social distancing, wearing a mask. … The church was closed down. … That’s why the Democratic government is pushing these agendas harshly more and more, and they have been successful in that.”

Son went on to urge the Trump administration to push “South Korea to respect freedom of worship. Freedom is not only essential [for the] world, but it reminds South Korea that [the] U.S. and Korea partnership is built not just on security and trade, but also on shared values of freedom and faith and encouraging accountability, as churches must never again be permitted [to be raided] by the state.”

Son concluded by asking for prayers for the Korean faithful. “[P]ray for the Korean church … it’s not about one person, but for the church to be faithful and not fearful. Because courage is very, very demanding right now. … Also pray for leaders in Korea and the U.S. to defend religious freedom and also stand against political retaliation. That’s what’s needed the most.”