Daegu Police Complete Location Tracking of 239 Shincheonji Members... 3 Remain

Including Overseas Departure and Military Enlistment
Shincheonji Church Member Police Officer Confirmed Positive
Rapid Response Teams Formed in Regional Police Agencies to Track Members' Locations

On the afternoon of the 20th, health officials from Nam-gu Public Health Center are conducting disinfection near the Shincheonji Daegu Church in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police have confirmed the whereabouts of all but three members of the Shincheonji Daegu Church who had been out of contact or whose locations were unknown.

The Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 24th at 5 p.m. that out of 242 Shincheonji members whose whereabouts were requested for confirmation by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the locations of 239 members have been confirmed. The whereabouts of the remaining three members are currently being investigated.

A total of 618 personnel, including Daegu police investigators and detectives, were deployed for this location confirmation. The police conducted phone location tracking, home visits, and inquiries simultaneously. Among the members whose locations were confirmed, 21 had left the country and 25 had enlisted in the military. For those whose whereabouts remain unknown, many were found to have moved without updating their registered addresses.

On the same day, a police officer from the Daegu Dongbu Police Station tested positive for COVID-19. The officer is a Shincheonji member who attended the Shincheonji Daegu Church service on the 16th of this month and began self-quarantine on the 19th.

A police official stated, "We will actively cooperate with health authorities and do our best to overcome this national crisis."

Meanwhile, the National Police Agency held a nationwide command video conference chaired by Commissioner Min Gap-ryong on the morning of the same day, ordering frontline units to form and operate a joint rapid response team composed of investigators and detectives under the responsibility of each provincial police chief to locate Shincheonji members who had lost contact.

Additionally, strong warnings will be issued against refusal of health authorities’ inspections and administrative measures, and in cases of noncompliance or illegal acts, strict judicial actions including arrest on the spot will be taken.