Among Love First Church Worshippers at Gwanghwamun Rally, 1 in 3 Confirmed COVID-19 Positive (Comprehensive)

Authorities Identify COVID-19 Cluster Infection Testing and Management Targets in Seoul Metropolitan Area
5,912 Sarangjeil Church Members and Visitors... Only 1,902 Tested
Among Church Members and Visitors, 639 Attended Gatherings... 33% Positivity Rate

On the afternoon of the 15th, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Dongwha Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Regarding the case of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where a large-scale outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred, it was identified on the 27th that the number of church members and visitors reached 6,000. This is more than 1,800 people higher than initially reported. Among them, the authorities found that only about one-third have undergone COVID-19 diagnostic testing.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, on the 22nd, through on-site epidemiological investigations at the church, they additionally secured the list of church members and visitors, narrowing down the provisional management target to 5,912 people. The authorities obtained and analyzed original documents such as the church member and visitor lists, lodging records, church registries, and new member registration cards.

This scale is 1,846 more than the 4,066 people initially secured by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. According to the authorities, among the 5,912 people, only 1,902 have been tested, which is about 32%. This means that more than two-thirds still need to be tested. Yoon Tae-ho of the Central Accident Response Headquarters said at a briefing that day, "We classified the management targets based on the secured data and notified the relevant local governments."

On the 25th, Choi In-sik, Secretary General of the National Emergency Response Committee for the 815 Rally participants, and Lee Dong-ho, a committee member, held a press conference condemning the government in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. They addressed President Moon Jae-in, saying, "Stop threatening the public under the pretext of quarantine." They also raised their voices, stating, "We hope the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency only speaks and acts to protect the health and lives of the people." / Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Approximately 50,000 People Provisionally Counted as Management Targets Related to the Rally on the 15th
Only 16% Tested So Far... "Need to Get Tested Quickly"

Regarding the downtown Seoul rally, the authorities have provisionally counted 51,242 people so far. This is based on analysis of telecommunications base station data and bus passenger lists. Among them, only 8,036 people, about 16%, have been tested. Regarding the rally (press conference) held by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on the same day, the authorities said they are requesting the list of base station users from telecom companies and are negotiating with the union to receive the actual attendee list.

On the 20th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, the scene at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The Sarang Jeil Church cluster outbreak exceeded 900 cases within two weeks after the first confirmed case, including 130 secondary infections from additional transmission at workplaces and other places. It is estimated that the infection spread over several weeks through small group meetings before the first patient was identified, and a significant number of attendees also participated in the rally on the 15th. According to the health authorities, 639 church members and visitors attended the rally. Among them, 241 were tested, and 79 were confirmed positive. The positivity rate reached 33%.

Chief Yoon stated, "If anyone refuses testing or provides false statements, intentionally omits or conceals facts during epidemiological investigations, we will strictly take action in cooperation with the police according to relevant laws," and urged, "To minimize further transmission, everyone who attended the rally should promptly undergo diagnostic testing."