'Mass Infection' at Sarang Jeil Church... Waste and Placards Everywhere
Church Officials Appear at Entrance... "Get Out Immediately"
Violence Against Quarantine Workers, Suspected Threatening Texts to Redevelopment Association
Sarang Jeil Church Cumulative Confirmed Cases 623... Positivity Rate 19.3%
On the 20th, trash was scattered around the residential area near Sarangjeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Sarangjeil Church is located in the Jangwi 10 District redevelopment zone and is scheduled for demolition. Although 99% of the residents in this area have already relocated, Sarangjeil Church is refusing to vacate, demanding 56.3 billion won, nearly seven times the 8.2 billion won compensation set by the Seoul Land Expropriation Committee. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporters Song Seung-yoon and Lee Jung-yoon] "Who do you think you are coming here? You can't enter, so go back."
On the afternoon of the 19th, at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, the area around the church appeared bleak. The alleyways and building entrances near the church were piled high with discarded furniture and household trash. Banners with phrases such as "Do not infringe on private property by invoking the law!" and "Stop defaming Sarang Jeil Church" were posted in various places.
Sarang Jeil Church has been closed since receiving a shutdown and assembly ban order on the 13th. As a result, entry into the building is impossible. A barrier screen has been installed around the church building. Although the church is closed, some individuals who appeared to be church members were lingering nearby. When entering the alley leading to the church, five people who seemed to be church officials blocked the way. They identified themselves as members of the Korea Straightening National Movement Headquarters (Daegukbon), led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon. When asked why they were there, they responded sharply, "Why do you ask that? Get out immediately."
They blocked access to the church with vehicles and ropes, holding signs that read "Arrest and Detain Moon Jae-in, Quarantine." A plastic table with the inscription "Moonplague is over. Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon has won" was also noticeable. One church member claimed, "We voluntarily came out to guard the office."
The reason church members are standing guard and blocking passage near the church is presumed to be to prevent forced demolition. Sarang Jeil Church lost a first-instance eviction lawsuit filed by the Jangwi 10 District Redevelopment Association in May. With forced eviction now possible, the association attempted to execute eviction twice in June but failed due to resistance from church members. Currently, the church is holding out, demanding compensation approximately seven times higher than the amount assessed by the Seoul city government. During this process, the collective living and lodging inside the church by members have been pointed out as the cause of the cluster infection.
On the 20th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, the alley leading to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul is being controlled. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
In the process of defending property rights by protecting the church, incidents of violence against quarantine personnel have also occurred. On the 18th, Sarang Jeil Church officials verbally abused reporters visiting the site and quarantine teams conducting disinfection work, grabbed the collar of a quarantine worker, and threatened them with stones, obstructing quarantine activities. The day before, members of the redevelopment association, who are in dispute with Sarang Jeil Church over the demolition of the worship hall, received a flood of threatening text messages sent to the church's main phone number.
Given the situation, nearby residents are also anxious. Resident Kim (67) said, "There have been many confirmed cases from the church, and unidentified people, along with church members, are wandering around the neighborhood, making everyone uneasy," adding, "Strong measures seem necessary."
As of noon the previous day, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases related to Sarang Jeil Church was 623. Of these, 393 were confirmed in Seoul alone, 160 in Gyeonggi Province, and 35 in Incheon. Even outside the metropolitan area, 35 cases have been reported, indicating that the cluster infection related to Sarang Jeil Church is spreading nationwide. So far, 3,263 church members have been tested, with a COVID-19 positivity rate of 19.3%. Sarang Jeil Church is also under suspicion for submitting false member lists. Among the approximately 4,000 church members identified by the government, 389 have not been contacted or have stated they are not members of Sarang Jeil Church and have not undergone testing. Additionally, about 600 individuals remain unidentified. The police have formed a rapid response team of about 8,500 personnel to track down the whereabouts of church members whose locations are unclear and are currently pursuing them.
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