"Religious Persecution" vs "Priority on Quarantine" Controversy Over Protestant 'Forcing Worship'

Government Orders 'Non-Face-to-Face Worship' for Churches Mainly in the Capital Area
Some Protestant Groups Hint at Forcing 'In-Person Worship,' Sparking Controversy
324 New Cases on the 21st
Quarantine Difficulties at Sarang Jeil Church Amid 'Cluster Infection'

On the afternoon of the 14th, officials were leaving after completing disinfection work at the entrance of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where a cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection occurred. On the same day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government ordered the closure of the Sarang Jeil Church facility in Seongbuk-gu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As the cumulative number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul reached a total of 676 as of noon on the 20th, the government has ordered 'non-face-to-face worship services' for churches in the metropolitan area. However, some Protestant denominations have hinted at continuing on-site worship services, sparking controversy.

Public opinion is divided. Some argue that there is no problem if quarantine rules are properly followed, while others insist that comprehensive non-face-to-face worship must be observed.

According to the Protestant community, the Korea Church Federation (HanGyoYeon), one of the united church organizations, sent a text message titled "HanGyoYeon Emergency Notice" to its members on the 20th, stating, "Denominations and organizations affiliated with HanGyoYeon cannot accept the government's order to ban worship services in churches in the metropolitan area."

HanGyoYeon said, "All churches must thoroughly adhere to government quarantine guidelines, and we must not stop worship, which is as important as life itself," adding, "HanGyoYeon will take full responsibility for this."

As controversy grew over whether this violated government guidelines, HanGyoYeon clarified, "We sent the message with the intention of supporting small churches that find non-face-to-face worship difficult, but it may have caused misunderstandings, so we immediately sent a correction." They emphasized, "We are not asking to break government measures but are working to request reconsideration from the government, so pastors should not worry and continue their ministry."

On the afternoon of the 18th, quarantine officials are conducting disinfection work related to the novel coronavirus infection at a church in Songpa-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the implication of continuing face-to-face worship has led to conflicts. Among citizens, there are claims that worship services following COVID-19 quarantine rules pose no problem, while others criticize that, given confirmed cases emerging mainly from Sarang Jeil Church and other churches, there is no choice but to comply fully.

Kim, a late 30s office worker who identifies as a cradle Christian, said, "It is true that COVID-19 is spreading centered around churches," but raised his voice, "It is not right to label all church members as the main cause of the spread." He added, "Many churches are strictly following quarantine rules. Prevention is important, but there is also a clear possibility that this could be seen as religious persecution."

There are opposing views as well. Park, a 40s office worker living in Seoul, emphasized, "The government is recommending non-face-to-face worship, which is a quarantine measure appropriate not only for religion but also for almost all fields such as performances and sports." He criticized, "If you think this is oppression or pressure, that is clearly a wrong idea."

A 20s job seeker (Jijun-saeng) who said they have been following recent news related to Sarang Jeil Church expressed frustration. They said, "If quarantine rules like wearing masks were followed, could COVID-19 have spread so rapidly?" and raised their voice, "Not only job seekers but also self-employed people are going through very difficult times due to COVID-19. Do church members not see these people?"

On the afternoon of the 20th, police officials are coming out of the epidemiological investigation conducted by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters outside Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where multiple confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection occurred.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, as COVID-19 cases surge and Protestant worship services are criticized as the cause, Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, who are being pointed out as the main culprits of the second wave of COVID-19, are set to announce their position again.

Pastor Jeon's side announced that they will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on the 21st in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Church officials have been releasing statements daily regarding the current COVID-19 situation. On the 19th, they held a press conference in front of the church. On the following day, the 20th, they published a statement through newspaper advertisements.

The main contents of this press conference include △ Pastor Jeon's statement △ the first legal actions by Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon's legal team and complaints filed against the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters △ and a position regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum.

A representative of Pastor Jeon's side said, "Pastor Jeon, who is infected with COVID-19, will not attend the press conference," adding, "His position will be conveyed through a 'proxy reading' method."

On the afternoon of the 20th, police forces are moving during the epidemiological investigation by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where multiple confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection have occurred. [Image source=Yonhap News]

They are also expected to respond to remarks by Kim Boo-kyum, a candidate for the Democratic Party leadership, who labeled Pastor Jeon and Sarang Jeil Church as a 'terrorist group' and criticized them.

Meanwhile, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the 21st, there were 324 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 16,670.

Of the new confirmed cases, 315 were locally transmitted and 9 were imported from overseas.

Since the cluster infection began in earnest on the 14th, a total of 1,900 new confirmed cases have been reported over eight days, approaching 2,000.