The Constitutional Court on Thursday unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the ban on pastors from using church services for election campaigns. A pastor filed the petition claiming the ban in the Public Official Election Act is against the Constitution, after being indicted for asking church members during services to vote for the then main opposition party ahead of the 2020 general elections. The pastor was ultimately sentenced to 500,000 won (US$374) in fines. Another pastor also joined in the petition after being sentenced to 1.5 million won in fines for asking church members to vote against then presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung ahead of the 2022 presidential election. Rejecting their claims, the Constitutional Court said the ban ensures fairness in elections, given the considerable influence that pastors and other religious leaders have over followers, helps religious organizations be faithful to their roles, and prevents negative effects that could arise from the combination of politics a nd religions. "It does not conflict with the freedom of political expression in violation of the principle of proportionality," the court said. The court also said the ban does not restrict election campaigns conducted based on personal friendships, rejecting claims it could restrict routine religious or socializing activities within religious organizations. Article 85 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that no person can engage in an election campaign targeting members of an educational, religious or professional organization by taking advantage of their role in the group. Violators can be punished with up to three years in prison or 6 million won in fines. Source: Yonhap News Agency