Shincheonji: "Confirmed Patient Who Acted Violently Is a Believer with Schizophrenia"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji) explained that a member who caused a disturbance and fled after refusing to enter a residential treatment center in Daegu has been suffering from schizophrenia.

On the 9th, Shincheonji stated in a press release, "According to the testimony of the son, the member has been receiving treatment for schizophrenia for 10 years, moving between two psychiatric hospitals in the Daegu area," and added, "Recently, right after the COVID-19 outbreak, the patient showed abnormal symptoms such as not sleeping for 3 to 4 days, losing self-control, and talking nonsense."

They continued, "The Daegu church was not aware that the member had schizophrenia 10 years ago and only learned this through the son this time," adding, "The patient is someone who needs treatment, not someone to be blamed."

A Shincheonji Daegu church member A (67, female), who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), refused to enter the residential treatment center, a quarantine treatment facility for mild patients, caused a disturbance, fled, and was later caught.

According to Daegu city, at around 8:20 p.m. on the 8th, COVID-19 positive patient A, who was being transferred to the Kyungpook National University residential treatment center, caused a disturbance in front of the center. When the quarantine authorities tried to control the situation, A was taken back to Daegu Medical Center, where she was originally isolated. However, during the transfer process, A grabbed the head of a nurse wearing protective clothing and fled. Police officers wearing protective suits caught A near the medical center at around 9:20 p.m. and reportedly readmitted her to the hospital room.

Daegu city plans to file charges against A for obstruction of official duties, assault, and violation of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act.