Shincheonji's Lee Man-hee, who called COVID-19 'devil's work,' provides government with follower list

"Hardship Due to COVID-19... Providing Full List of Believers to Government"
Previously Stated, "This Plague Incident Is Understood as the Work of the Devil"

Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee. Photo by Shincheonji official website [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Lee Man-hee, the Chairman (Leader) of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), announced on the 25th that he would provide the government with the full list of believers. This comes five days after he claimed that the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was the "work of the devil."

On the same day, Shincheonji posted a notice titled "Special Letter from Chairman Lee Man-hee" on its homepage early in the morning. In the letter, Chairman Lee stated, "Shincheonji will actively cooperate with the government's policies by providing the full list of believers and conducting a thorough investigation."

He added, "We will ensure that trainees can undergo COVID-19 testing. Everything will be carried out on the condition that the government establishes measures to protect and secure the personal information of the believers."

Chairman Lee said, "I understand that many are suffering due to the COVID-19 situation. Especially, my heart aches for the many believers of the Daegu church who have been greatly affected," and urged, "Let us become believers who do our best to overcome COVID-19 by actively cooperating with government policies."

On the 24th, a responsible official at Seongnam City On Church in Gyeonggi-do is posting a closure notice in accordance with the enforcement of the 'Gyeonggi-do Emergency Administrative Order for the Complete Ban on Shincheonji Gatherings and Forced Closure of Facilities.' [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Shincheonji Leader Lee Man-hee Previously Called COVID-19 Situation the "Work of the Devil"

Earlier, on the 20th, Chairman Lee posted a notice titled "Special Letter from the Chairman" through the Shincheonji-related app, claiming, "This current epidemic is the work of the devil, who, seeing Shincheonji's rapid growth, has caused this to stop us."

Regarding the COVID-19 situation, he said, "Let us overcome all these trials and deceptions," and urged, "Let us strengthen our faith even more. We can win. God and Jesus are alive and working."

He also emphasized, "Our unchanging faith and truth belong to God, and whether we live or die, they belong to God just like the prophets and apostles," while also urging, "We must cooperate with the authorities' instructions. It is our duty."

He further stated, "We do not belong to this world. Our true home is heaven," and advised, "Let us conduct evangelism and education through communication. For the time being, avoid gatherings."

Simon Kim, spokesperson for Shincheonji Jesus Church, is explaining Shincheonji's position regarding the COVID-19 situation. Photo by Shincheonji official website and YouTube capture.

◆ Shincheonji: "Shincheonji is the Biggest Victim of the COVID-19 Situation"

Shincheonji also claimed that they are the biggest victims of the COVID-19 situation. On the 23rd, Kim Si-mon, Shincheonji spokesperson, stated in an online press release, "Shincheonji believers are the biggest victims of COVID-19," and added, "We will mobilize all our capabilities to cooperate for an early resolution."

He also said, "To minimize community spread, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus is closely monitoring the symptoms of all members of the Daegu church and the 201 people who visited the Daegu church in real-time, maintaining close communication and sharing information with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

Shincheonji Church of Jesus also stated, "There have been continuous reports suggesting that 'Shincheonji Church of Jesus is deliberately hiding this situation,' which raises concerns about intentional defamation."

Meanwhile, the police deployed 618 detectives from the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency's Criminal Division and, as of 9 a.m. on the 24th, identified the whereabouts of 221 out of 242 believers of the Daegu church and provided the information to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.