Naju City Launches Emergency Full Survey of 509 Shincheonji Followers

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) announced on the 27th that it has launched an urgent full-scale survey targeting 509 Shincheonji followers in the area to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Starting from this day, the city plans to conduct telephone calls with Shincheonji followers for two weeks to quickly and thoroughly respond to early detection of COVID-19 symptomatic cases.

To prevent leakage of personal information and the list of followers, about 20 experienced team leader-level staff were assigned to this survey, and an observer designated by the Shincheonji church was present during the process.

The main survey items include ▲ contact with confirmed cases and symptoms such as fever and respiratory issues ▲ recent visits to Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas ▲ attendance at worship services at Shincheonji church, learning centers, or other places since the 16th ▲ presence of fever or respiratory symptoms among family members.

The city plans to immediately impose self-quarantine measures and conduct tests at screening clinics if symptomatic individuals are identified during the survey.

Asymptomatic individuals will enter active monitoring, including twice-daily phone calls for symptom checks over the next two weeks.

Additionally, workers at multi-use facilities classified as high-risk for COVID-19 spread, such as public and medical institutions, social welfare facilities, daycare centers, kindergartens, and schools, will be recommended to self-quarantine.

The city is thoroughly maintaining security by requiring confidentiality agreements from survey participants and notifying them of sanctions under civil and criminal laws related to personal information protection.

Mayor Kang In-gyu stated, “We will block the possibility of COVID-19 occurrence at its source through meticulous full-scale surveys,” and added, “Even asymptomatic individuals working in high-risk occupations are urged to actively cooperate with the health authorities’ self-quarantine measures to protect COVID-19 clean areas.”

Meanwhile, following Jeollanam-do’s administrative order to ban gatherings and forcibly close Shincheonji religious facilities, the city forcibly closed one Shincheonji church and one education center after disinfection from the 25th until the 9th of next month.

Currently, there are a total of five Shincheonji religious facilities in the area (1 church, 4 education centers), and the remaining three education centers are scheduled to be closed on the following day (the 28th).