Presbyterian Church in Korea "Korean Churches Must Expel Jeon Gwang-hoon from the Christian Community and Declare Severance of Relations"

Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who tested positive for COVID-19, is seen leaving the Sarang Jeil Church parsonage in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 17th and boarding a Seongbuk Public Health Center vehicle. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) has raised its voice, calling for the expulsion of Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the head pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, from the Christian community.

On the 24th, the PCK General Assembly issued a statement titled "On the Occasion of the Re-spread of the Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19)" and declared, "The Korean church must immediately sever ties with Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon and expel him from the Christian community."

The Assembly pointed out, "The 'Jeon Gwang-hoon phenomenon,' which combines far-right political ideology and fundamentalist beliefs, revealed the bare face of the Korean church," adding, "The church, which should have been a bridge for reconciliation in the divided system, instead incited confrontation and hatred. It did not hesitate to use extreme hate speech and abusive language."

Furthermore, it stated, "Ultimately, the 'Jeon Gwang-hoon phenomenon' fundamentally shook the national quarantine system during this critical time," and claimed, "Despite the fact that the number of confirmed cases originating from Sarang Jeil Church exceeded 800, false news such as 'this is a virus terror attack' and 'the confirmed cases are fabricated' were spread, and people even escaped from hospitals, breaking common sense and norms."

The PCK General Assembly defined the current situation as the "Jeon Gwang-hoon phenomenon" and emphasized, "Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon must be expelled from the Christian community, and the Korean church must deeply repent for its past mistakes of nurturing, protecting, or neglecting the Jeon Gwang-hoon phenomenon."

It continued, "There are pastors and churches who refuse the quarantine authorities' request to switch from in-person worship to non-face-to-face worship, citing religious freedom and constitutional rights," criticizing, "My religious freedom does not include the freedom to put others at risk."