Shincheonji DaeDaeO Branch: "Daegu and Gyeongbuk Believers Who Do Not Cooperate with Quarantine Measures Will Not Be Allowed to Attend Worship"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji) Daedaeoh Branch announced that it will prohibit attendance at worship services if Daegu and Gyeongbuk believers fail to cooperate with local governments and health authorities regarding COVID-19 prevention measures.

On the 8th, the Shincheonji Daedaeoh Branch requested believers through an official document to ▲ not leave self-quarantine ▲ undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing without exception, even if asymptomatic ▲ those advised to use hospitals or residential treatment centers must adhere to schedules and move to the designated facilities ▲ refrain from going out for a while even after the self-quarantine period ends.

They also warned believers, stating, "Those who do not follow the instructions of Daegu City, local governments, and health authorities, or who are unreachable or leave without permission, will be prohibited from attending worship services even after the situation calms down," adding, "Cooperation with health authorities' instructions must be the top priority regardless of reason, and strong disciplinary actions will be taken at the church level if there is noncompliance."

The Shincheonji Daedaeoh Branch explained that these measures were implemented because, after the 31st confirmed patient was identified, the church repeatedly emphasized cooperation with health authorities, but some believers violated self-quarantine or were confirmed positive without revealing they were Shincheonji members, causing harm to those around them.

On the same day, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin stated at a regular briefing, "Among the 8,269 Shincheonji believers managed by Daegu City (first secured list), 91 individuals have not yet undergone specimen testing," adding, "We plan to request police assistance today for 23 individuals whose whereabouts are unknown." Mayor Kwon also emphasized, "We will encourage the remaining 68 to get tested, and if they do not get tested by the 9th, all will be reported."

Regarding reports that some Shincheonji believers refuse to enter residential treatment centers, the city explained, "Some believers delaying admission to residential treatment centers have special circumstances, such as waiting for test results of minor children," adding, "The church emphasizes that admission to residential treatment centers is not optional but mandatory, and is confirming reasons for delayed admission and providing support to resolve them."

Choi Myung-seok, head of the Shincheonji Daedaeoh Branch, said, "We are cooperating fully with authorities' requests, but it is difficult to control all aspects of believers' lives," and added, "We will do our utmost to prevent such incidents from happening again for the health and safety of local residents."

Meanwhile, as of this day, the total number of COVID-19 cluster infections related to Shincheonji reached 4,482, accounting for 62.8% of the total 7,134 confirmed cases.