Seodaemun-gu Cancels 101st Anniversary Event of March 1st Movement

Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, Orders Temporary Closure and Disinfection of Shincheonji-Related Facilities

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 24th, Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, urgently convened a policy meeting in the district office conference room to receive reports on the current status of COVID-19 damage in the area and measures to prevent its spread, and gave directions on the course of action.

At the meeting, Mayor Moon instructed all departments of the district office and community service centers to strictly control the entry of outsiders such as salespeople, in connection with a Shincheonji believer who visited Gajwa Health Center and Bukgajwa 1-dong Community Service Center last week for credit card sales and was confirmed positive for COVID-19 at the Mapo-gu Public Health Center screening clinic.

He also requested a thorough investigation of all Shincheonji-related facilities in the area, temporary closure measures, and thorough disinfection, as well as meticulous efforts to identify and control the believers’ proselytizing routes and whether gatherings are held.

To this end, he ordered each dong chief to conduct daily patrols in the area. Mayor Moon emphasized that this response is not religious persecution but for social safety, and asked the staff to respond with a sense of responsibility.

In the following meeting, the district decided to cancel the 101st anniversary event of the March 1st Movement, which was scheduled to be held at the Seodaemun Prison History Hall on March 1st.

The Seodaemun Prison History Hall has held the “Seodaemun, 1919 The Shout of That Day!” commemorative event every year on March 1st with independence movement performances and various shows and experience programs.

Mayor Moon Seok-jin stated, “Because the Seodaemun Prison History Hall holds special significance as a historical site, we had planned to hold a simplified ceremony under thorough quarantine measures, but decided to cancel it for the safety of citizens.”

On the same day, Mayor Moon instructed the extension of closure of multi-use facilities such as the Seodaemun Cultural and Sports Center and district libraries, avoidance of events involving many residents, and rapid and thorough disinfection of multi-use facilities such as subway stations and traditional markets in the district.

Additionally, Seodaemun-gu decided to suspend the operation of the district cafeteria used by employees and visiting civil petitioners from the 25th for the time being.