Installation of Online Chapel at Dobong-gu Office Citizen Hall

Dobong-gu Actively Supports Real-Time 'Online Worship' and 'Recorded Worship'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Amid the emphasis on strong 'social distancing' measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) has established the nation's first 'online worship room.'

Starting from the 26th, the district will directly support churches to hold online worship services, becoming the first local government in the country to do so in order to prevent the mass spread of COVID-19.

Currently, there are 258 churches in Dobong-gu. Among them, 43 churches have completely suspended worship services to prevent mass infections, and 118 churches have replaced them with online worship services.

In February, the district held an emergency meeting with local religious organizations, actively requesting the consideration of replacing large gatherings with video worship (online) services.

Although most churches in the area have switched to online worship due to the spread of COVID-19, some small churches are unable to conduct online worship because they do not have internet installed or face difficulties operating video media.

Accordingly, the district is educating small churches on easy-to-operate online worship methods and has created an online chapel at the district office's community hall, providing video equipment and filming technology to support real-time online worship and recorded services.

Additionally, as part of the high-intensity social distancing efforts, from March 25 to 31, karaoke rooms have voluntarily suspended operations through the cooperation of the Karaoke Association, and the district is conducting a 'Narrowing the Distance of the Heart' campaign, encouraging people to keep physical distance while staying emotionally close.

Mayor Lee Dong-jin of Dobong-gu stated, “We thank the religious community for participating in social distancing efforts such as online worship to end COVID-19 early. We will devote all efforts to ending COVID-19 as soon as possible through technical support for online worship videos, practicing social distancing, and comprehensive quarantine activities.”