The Charlie Kirk Show: Christians Under Assault In Korea

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Charlie Kirk
Main Guests: Sons of Pastor Sohn (a South Korean pastor currently imprisoned), Mikey, Blake, and others

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the persecution of Christians—and specifically Christian pastors—in South Korea, with a detailed focus on the recent arrest and imprisonment of Pastor Sohn. Charlie Kirk and his guests use this case to discuss broader themes of religious freedom, governmental overreach, the dangers of political acquiescence by the church, and threats to liberty both in Korea and potentially in the United States. The discussion is both deeply personal and overtly political, emphasizing the need for activism and international attention.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: Pastor Sohn’s Arrest and Religious Suppression

• [01:09-04:33]

  • Pastor Sohn, a megachurch leader in Korea, was arrested shortly after meeting Charlie and Mikey. The arrest allegedly stemmed from “political activity from the pulpit”—mainly speaking out against leftist policies and refusing to close his church during COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Quote (Charlie’s Guest, D, 03:11):
    “The arrest warrant... was absurd because... mainly it was politically... he was violating the political neutrality from the pulpit.”
  • Despite intense government pressure, Sohn’s church continued to hold services outdoors.

• [04:11-05:39]

  • Pastor Sohn became a symbol of Christian conservatism and was targeted as a threat by the leftist government.
  • Parallels were drawn to Soviet-era persecution of underground churches.
    Quote (C, 04:33):
    “My dad... was running one of the biggest underground church networks and he was arrested for it and put in the Gulag... This is Korea, but this could also come to America.”

2. The Chilling Effect on Churches and Society

• [05:41-08:08]
  • Many churches in Korea misinterpret the "separation between church and state," leading to passivity even as religious freedom erodes.
  • Foreign pastors influenced Korean Christian activism.
  • Pastor Sohn faces 16 lawsuits, six of which relate directly to holding worship in defiance of COVID restrictions.

3. South Korea’s Demographic Crisis: Low Birthrate

• [06:59-07:59]

  • Discussion on Korea’s plummeting birthrate (0.7 children per woman—the lowest in the world).
  • Quote (B, 07:09):
    “I think it's the lowest in the world. It's about 0.7 per... the extinction rate of Korea.”

• [08:08-08:42]

  • Pastors rarely address the birthrate crisis for fear of discomfort or alienating more progressive church members.

4. Political Activism and Government Retaliation

• [08:42-13:36]
  • Pastor Sohn criticized political candidates for promoting LGBT agendas and for promising government quotas for sexual minorities.
  • His activism and refusal to comply with political norms led to his arrest, harsher prosecution, and ongoing intimidation of his family and congregation.
  • Quote (D, 12:19):
    “Prosecutors asked for one year imprisonment... When you look at the legal precedents... they've only gotten fined... this is absurd.”

5. Climate of Fear and Hypocrisy within Korean Christianity

• [14:40-15:28]

  • Pastor Sohn is the only prominent Christian leader currently imprisoned, and his case is used as a warning to others.
  • Major churches and influential pastors have distanced themselves out of fear.

• [15:28-17:46]

  • Venues and donors withdrew support from Christian events after government threats.
  • Quote (C, 15:28):
    “It makes me furious at your government... it also makes me upset at the pastors who aren’t willing to say ‘I don’t care if I go to jail.’”

6. Details of Pastor Sohn’s Imprisonment

• [17:46-19:28]
  • Conditions: Sohn lacks access to personal belongings, wears hand-me-down underwear, endures minimal heating, and faces legal delays.
  • Family faces significant hardship and uncertainty.

7. Media Control, Social Ostracization, and International Solidarity

• [19:19-23:04]

  • South Korean legacy media brands Sohn as “far-right.” Many pastors offer private support but fear public association.
  • Support from American Christians is described as stronger and more public than from within Korea.
  • Quote (D, 21:35):
    “I feel like Americans are speaking out even louder than... Christians in Korea...”

• [22:10-23:04]

  • The family is regularly harassed online and in the press, accused of extremism.

8. The US-Korea Relationship and the Call to Action

• [23:53-25:22]

  • Discussion on the continued US military presence in Korea and the leverage this provides Americans in applying diplomatic pressure.
  • Quote (B, 24:15):
    “There are 30,000 U.S. troops in Korea... I think it's reasonable to say, if we're going to have 30,000 troops there... Don't arrest pastors.”

• [26:18-28:18]

  • Concerns raised about rising North Korean sentiment, socialist politics, and the anti-American stances of some politicians in Korea.

9. Broader Societal and Cultural Shifts in Korea

• [32:38-35:21]
  • Education reforms have shifted history and religious perspectives leftward, downplaying Christianity’s role.
  • Korea has extremely high college attendance, and universities are described as hotbeds of radical feminism.
  • Quote (F, 35:13):
    “I think it's do not date, do not marry, do not have sex, do not have children... That is prevalent even in the church.”

10. Q&A: Advice for American Christians and Personal Reflections

• [37:42-39:48]

  • Guests urge American Christians to stand up, be bold, and not take religious freedom for granted.
  • Quote (D, 38:12):
    “Although you're not going [through] this kind of persecution, we should have empathy... we are obligated to speak out what God wants us to... biblical truth that will never change.”

• [40:47-42:26]

  • On America, the guests express deep gratitude, calling America a bulwark against global communism and a historic beacon of liberty and faith.
  • Quote (F, 42:26):
    “I think there were no America then, [the] whole world was already Communism, I think.”

11. How Listeners Can Help

• [42:38-43:58]
  • Prayer for courage, international attention, and signing petitions for Pastor Sohn’s release are encouraged.
  • The guests remain hopeful, believing God is using the persecution to awaken the church in both Korea and America.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If the most important thing for you is just feeling good, you're going to end up miserable. But if the most important thing is doing good, you will end up purposeful.”
  —Charlie Kirk, [00:03]

• “My father was the only megachurch pastor that didn’t surrender worship [during COVID]... and ever since then, my father has been the symbol of Christian conservatism in Korea.”
  —Pastor Sohn’s son (D), [04:09]

• “This is Korea, but this could also come to America.”
  —Mikey, [04:33]

• “Americans are speaking out even louder than Koreans and Christians in Korea.”
  —Pastor Sohn’s son (D), [21:35]

• “If we're going to have 30,000 troops there... don't arrest pastors.”
  —Blake, [24:15]

• “We have lots of hope actually, we are hopeful because everything is done, everything is allowed by God... God is working.”
  —Pastor Sohn’s son (F), [43:28]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:09] – Introduction to Pastor Sohn’s arrest
• [04:09] – COVID-era church resistance and symbolic persecution
• [06:59] – Birthrate crisis in Korea
• [08:42] – Specifics on political repression and government overreach
• [12:19] – Legal irregularities: unprecedented sentence for Sohn
• [17:46] – Details of prison conditions and family hardship
• [19:19] – Government/media narrative and ostracization
• [21:35] – Comparison of American vs Korean Christian support
• [23:53] – US military presence and diplomatic leverage
• [32:38] – Education and cultural changes leading to the current climate
• [35:13] – Radical feminism’s impact in Korean churches and society
• [38:12] – Advice for boldness in faith
• [42:26] – View of America as a bulwark against communism
• [42:47] – How to support and pray for Pastor Sohn’s family

Takeaways

• The case of Pastor Sohn is emblematic of rising governmental hostility to outspoken Christianity in Korea, with broader implications for global religious liberty.
• South Korea’s religious, demographic, and political challenges are interconnected, and the church is targeted precisely because of its influence.
• American Christians are urged to “pay attention to the warning signs” for similar trends at home.
• Listeners are encouraged to pray for, advocate on behalf of, and amplify the story of persecuted Christians internationally, particularly through petitions and public support.
• The episode ends on a note of hope and faith in divine providence.

For more information and to support Pastor Sohn’s release, listeners are directed to a QR code and petition promoted during the episode.