Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Busan Segye-ro Church met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on the 7th (local time).

The meeting was attended by Pastor Son's family, along with Jenny Korn, Director of the White House Faith Office; Rabbi Lance Wallnau of Godspeak Church; and Paula White, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office. The conversation lasted approximately one hour.

The church stated that this meeting went beyond a simple visit, demonstrating the ongoing interest of American society and the Christian community in issues surrounding the Korean church and the Republic of Korea. They also reported delivering a message directed at the Republic of Korea and the Korean church, and exchanging views on defending the values of freedom and faith.

Pastor Son has recently been in contact with U.S. government officials, expressing concerns about religion- and human rights-related issues in South Korea, including the Religious Corporation Dissolution Act and the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act. The U.S. side is reported to have shown interest in these issues.

In June of this year, U.S. government officials including Riley Barnes, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) at the U.S. State Department; Julie Turner, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of DRL; and Belsis Romero, Liaison for the White House Faith Office, visited Busan Segye-ro Church and met with Pastor Son. At that time, various issues were discussed, including the Religious Corporation Dissolution Act, the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act, the complaint filed against Pastor Son for "instigating rebellion," and regulations on Christian alternative education. Pastor Son also met with Michael Needham, Advisor to the U.S. State Department, and others in February of this year.

Religion and human rights issues are regarded as topics that can be handled sensitively within the South Korea-U.S. relationship.

Meanwhile, Pastor Son Hyun-bo leads the Protestant organization "Save Korea" and played a leading role in organizing rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. He was indicted on charges of illegal electioneering during last year's presidential election and was sentenced in early this year to six months in prison with one year of probation.