Seoul City and Seongbuk-gu Issue Diagnostic Testing Order for Over 4,000 at Sarang Jeil Church

On the 14th, medical staff are assisting with the completion of questionnaires at a temporary screening clinic for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) set up near Dongdaemun Tongil Shopping Center in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has ordered approximately 4,000 members and visitors of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred, to undergo diagnostic testing.

Park Yu-mi, Director of the Citizen Health Bureau and Seoul’s quarantine controller, stated at a briefing on the morning of the 15th, "We sent safety guidance text messages to 4,053 members and visitors of Sarang Jeil Church, and on the 14th, we issued an order to comply with diagnostic testing."

If those who receive the compliance order fail to undergo diagnostic testing, they may be subject to a fine of up to 2 million won under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. If confirmed cases occur, claims for damages may also be pursued.

The quarantine authorities have received visitor lists from Sarang Jeil Church for the period of the 7th to the 13th and are classifying testing targets by city and province.

These members and visitors are subject to mandatory self-quarantine measures under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

However, the city stated that Sarang Jeil Church submitted the list excluding Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon.

Sarang Jeil Church and conservative groups such as the Liberty Solidarity plan to hold a rally near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the same day to condemn the government and ruling party.

Regarding reports that the pastor of Sarang Jeil Church told members showing suspected COVID-19 symptoms to delay testing, the city said, "Delaying testing is a violation of infectious disease regulations, so after reviewing legal measures including possible prosecution, we will take strong action."