Second Statement Released Online
"We Are Victims of the COVID-19 Crisis"
Kim Simon, spokesperson for Shincheonji Church of Jesus, is making a statement regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) through a YouTube channel on the 28th. Photo by Shincheonji YouTube capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), identified as the epicenter of the domestic cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stated on the 28th, "Shincheonji did not create the virus," and requested, "Please remove the frame that blames us as the main culprit of the (COVID-19) crisis."
Kim Simon, Shincheonji spokesperson, said at 3 p.m. via YouTube, "The witch hunt against Shincheonji Church of Jesus has reached its peak," and demanded, "The believers are also citizens and victims who have lived their daily lives according to government guidelines. Please stop the curses and persecution."
This is the second time since the 23rd that Shincheonji has issued a statement through an online live broadcast. At that time, Shincheonji also claimed, "We are victims too."
Spokesperson Kim said, "The witch hunt against Shincheonji Church of Jesus has reached its peak, and due to persecution and violence from families, one believer has died. We cannot help but express our position," adding, "In 2007 and 2018, two believers were killed by their families simply because they were Shincheonji believers, and on February 26, in Ulsan, one believer died due to domestic violence and persecution by her husband."
He continued, "Since this incident, over 4,000 cases of harm have been reported, including dismissal notices, workplace persecution and harassment, family persecution, stigmatization, and defamation against Shincheonji believers."
Kim also refuted claims that Shincheonji deliberately concealed the number of believers and intentionally delayed the disclosure of the list.
He emphasized, "We have submitted the lists of domestic and overseas believers and trainees to the government," and "We are doing our best to prevent and cure COVID-19."
Regarding discrepancies between the list submitted by Shincheonji and the lists identified by local governments, he argued, "The lists provided by health authorities to each local government are based on addresses, so there may be differences by church."
He added, "We are receiving severe criticism and cold stares," and "We will take all measures to protect believers and stand firm against the heresy frame and fake news."
In the announcement, Shincheonji stated that it submitted the list of 245,605 believers domestically and abroad, including 212,324 in Korea and 33,281 overseas, along with addresses of affiliated institutions, to health authorities.
They also reported that they identified and delivered to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the list of 65,127 trainees, including 54,176 domestic and 10,951 overseas trainees.
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