Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo Requests Religious Community's Cooperation to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Woo-kwon] Gyeongnam Province and the four major religious orders in the Gyeongnam region have united their efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the afternoon of the 27th, Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo held a meeting with religious leaders from the Gyeongnam region at his office in the provincial government building.

Present at the meeting were religious leaders including Pastor Park Jeong-gon, President of the Gyeongnam Christian Federation; Father Choi Bong-won, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Masan; and Gyomu Lee Kyung-yeol, Head of the Won Buddhism Gyeongnam District, along with Kim Ji-soo, Chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council.

Do-mun, an advisor to the Gyeongnam Buddhist Council who had come to the provincial government building to attend the meeting, was detected with a fever by the thermal imaging camera in the lobby and did not attend the meeting, instead moving to a nearby screening clinic.

Governor Kim Kyung-soo shared the current status of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the Gyeongnam region with the religious leaders and requested their cooperation in efforts to prevent community spread. Governor Kim said, "I am grateful that most religions have expressed their intention to suspend weekend gatherings and worship services," adding, "I ask for many prayers so that Gyeongnam and the Republic of Korea can overcome this situation well."

The leaders of each religious order responded, "Although confirmed cases are increasing through certain groups, the government is responding calmly," and "We appreciate the hard work of public officials who are burdened with heavy duties."

Currently, the Buddhist community in Gyeongnam has suspended public Dharma talks and encourages online prayers; the Christian community has replaced weekday and Sunday services with video worship; the Catholic community has completely suspended all masses and gatherings; and the Won Buddhism community has closed its 43 temples in the province. The religious community has also agreed to actively promote COVID-19 prevention guidelines among believers, including wearing masks, hand washing, and refraining from going out, along with preventive measures such as disinfection and sanitation within religious facilities.