Authorities: Over 60% of Domestic COVID-19 Cases Linked to Shincheonji Church

On the 21st, when Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon announced the closure of Shincheonji Church locations in Seoul to prevent the spread of COVID-19, health center officials entered the main sanctuary to conduct disinfection at the Shincheonji Jesus Church of the Testimony Tabernacle, Simon Branch, Seodaemun Church in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly increases in South Korea, health authorities have identified that out of the 156 confirmed patients so far, 98 are linked to the Shincheonji Daegu Church.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a briefing on the 21st, "Among the 156 reported cases, about 98 are related either directly to the Shincheonji Church or through contact with its members," adding, "We are still investigating where the infection originated within the Shincheonji Church, but the scale of the cluster outbreak from a single exposure is large."

The connection between domestic patients and the Shincheonji Church was first revealed on the 18th when patient number 31 was confirmed positive. This patient had 1,160 contacts, the highest number among confirmed domestic cases so far. During the epidemiological investigation of patient 31, contacts at the church were prioritized for investigation, leading to the confirmation of multiple additional cases. The Disease Control Headquarters received a list of approximately 9,300 members from the church and is conducting diagnostic tests and other measures accordingly.

Jung said, "The church services are held in very enclosed spaces where many people sit closely together for about 1 to 2 hours," adding, "It is likely that a few exposed individuals infected many others." Park Neung-hoo, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, also stated in a briefing that morning, "The transmission is centered around a specific group, and the cause is clear."

Jung added, "We understand that the Shincheonji Church has branches in China and other countries," and said, "We are continuing to investigate whether there has been any exchange with regions classified as COVID-19 outbreak areas, such as Hubei Province."