[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon urged on the 27th to "minimize the number of churches that insist on Sunday worship" in relation to the occurrence of cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at religious gatherings such as the Shincheonji Church and Oncheon Church.
In a post on his Facebook on the same day, former professor Jin said, "Although the freedom of religion guaranteed by the constitution cannot be restricted by the state without the consent of the church, since cluster outbreak cases are related to religious gatherings, Sunday worship services held nationwide may become a catalyst for the spread of the virus."
He added, "The reason the United Future Party is hesitating on this issue is probably because they are cautious of their support base, the conservative Christian faction," and argued, "Now is not the time to think about that. Even Hwang Kyo-ahn, the party leader and a pastor, should declare that he will attend Sunday worship at home this week and urge Protestant churches to give up Sunday worship."
He continued, "If they still refuse and insist on holding Sunday worship, there is no choice," and urged, "Although there may be a shortage of quarantine personnel, measures must be prepared to minimize the risk of cluster infections so that they can safely conduct worship."
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