[Summary] Shincheonji "Biggest Victim of COVID-19" vs 'Disband Shincheonji' Blue House Petition Surpasses 400,000

"Please Refrain from Hate and Criticism Against Shincheonji Believers"
"Believers Are Korean Citizens and Victims"
420,000 Sign Petition for Forced Disbandment of Shincheonji
Government Raises COVID-19 Response to Highest 'Serious' Level

Regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), which had planned to hold its first public press conference on the 24th, changed its original plan and announced its position online through its website and YouTube on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As of the 23rd, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has exceeded 600, and the death toll is also rising. It has been confirmed that hundreds of confirmed cases are related to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), leading to growing criticism of Shincheonji.

On the same day, Shincheonji issued an official statement asking people to refrain from hatred and criticism toward Shincheonji believers, claiming that they are the biggest victims of COVID-19.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 23rd that 169 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 602. Additionally, the 3rd to 6th deaths occurred on the same day, making the official death toll six.

Among the new confirmed cases, 95 are related to Shincheonji, bringing the total number of Shincheonji-related confirmed cases to 329. Given this situation, there are concerns that the virus spread because Shincheonji believers did not follow infection prevention guidelines.

Since the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred in Daegu, on Sunday the 23rd, the health center quarantine team is conducting disinfection work in front of the entrance to the Shincheonji Daegu Church in Nam-gu, Daegu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Shincheonji: "Believers are citizens of the Republic of Korea and victims"

As the controversy spread, a Shincheonji spokesperson issued a statement through YouTube and other social networking services (SNS) on the same day.

Kim Simon, Shincheonji spokesperson, stated, "COVID-19 originated in China and spread to the Republic of Korea," and urged, "Please recognize that Shincheonji Church of Jesus and its believers are the biggest victims of COVID-19."

Spokesperson Kim said, "There have been continuous reports suggesting that 'Shincheonji Church of Jesus is deliberately hiding this situation,' which raises concerns about intentional defamation," and requested, "Please stop speculative and unverified malicious reports."

He added, "In local communities, forced leave, discrimination, insults, and even pressure to resign against Shincheonji believers are happening, which should never occur," and claimed, "Shincheonji Church of Jesus believers are citizens of the Republic of Korea who have trusted the authorities' quarantine measures and have been living their daily lives, and they are victims."

Shincheonji further explained, "Among the Daegu church believers, we have continuously contacted 670 people who were unreachable together with health authorities, and 417 of them have undergone testing," adding, "We are using all possible methods to contact the remaining 253 who have not attended church for a long time."

Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee. Photo by Shincheonji website

◆ Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee: "This disease incident... the work of the devil"

While Shincheonji believers appealed to stop hatred and criticism, claiming they are the biggest victims of the COVID-19 situation, on the 20th, Chairman Lee Man-hee (the founder) claimed that the COVID-19 incident was caused by the devil.

In a notice titled "Special Letter from the Chairman," released through a Shincheonji-related app on the same day, he emphasized, "This disease incident is the work of the devil, who saw the rapid growth of Shincheonji and tried to stop it."

He continued, "Let us overcome all these trials and deceptions," and said, "Let us strengthen our faith even more. We can win. God and Jesus are alive and working."

He also said, "We do not belong to this world. Our true home is heaven," and urged, "Let us conduct evangelism and education through communication. Let us avoid gatherings for the time being."

He added, "The victims of this disease are Shincheonji believers," and urged, "Let us overcome this trial as well. Let us pray to God tirelessly for each other."

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board Capture

Meanwhile, a public petition demanding the forced disbandment of Shincheonji has also emerged. On the 22nd, a post titled "Petition for the forced disbandment (dissolution) of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereafter Shincheonji)" appeared on the Blue House National Petition website, gaining over 427,458 supporters in about two days.

On the other hand, the government raised the COVID-19 response to the highest level, the "serious" stage, on the 23rd. President Moon Jae-in stated, "The situation before and after the large-scale Shincheonji group infection outbreak is completely different," and added, "We will raise the crisis alert to the highest level, the serious stage, and significantly strengthen the response system."

President Moon chaired the "COVID-19 Pan-government Countermeasure Meeting" at 3 p.m. in the video conference room on the 19th floor of the Government Seoul Office and said, "The COVID-19 situation has reached a critical turning point."

He also emphasized, "We are taking special measures against Shincheonji believers, who are the source of the group infection," and said, "Above all, we are conducting rapid full-scale investigations and diagnostics to quickly identify confirmed patients."