Seoul City Files 4.6 Billion Won Damage Claim Against Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon (Update)

Responsibility for Large-Scale COVID-19 Resurgence... Treatment Costs, Self-Quarantine, Living Treatment Center Operating Expenses
Seoul City-Transportation Corporation-Autonomous District-Nation-Health Insurance Corporation Total Estimated Loss 13.1 Billion KRW

Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, who was treated for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and discharged, is holding a press conference on the 2nd in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to file a lawsuit seeking 4.6 billion KRW in damages from Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon. When combined with the damages claimed by Seoul Metro and 25 autonomous districts, the total amount of damages sought exceeds 9.2 billion KRW.

On the 18th at 4 p.m., Seoul announced that it will submit a complaint to the Seoul Central District Court against Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon.

Due to the church and Pastor Jeon's obstruction and assistance in refusing epidemiological investigations, submission of false data, and other violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, COVID-19 re-spread nationwide including the metropolitan area. In particular, since Seoul suffered significant damages with a substantial causal relationship, it was judged that holding them liable for compensation is reasonable.

According to Seoul's estimates, the damages incurred by Seoul, Seoul Metro, autonomous districts, the national government, and the National Health Insurance Service due to COVID-19 originating from Sarang Jeil Church amount to approximately 13.1 billion KRW based solely on confirmed cases within Seoul.

Among these, Seoul will file a lawsuit for direct damages amounting to 4.62 billion KRW. This includes 330 million KRW borne by the city for treatment costs of 641 confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church as of the 17th, 660 million KRW for living support expenses for those in self-quarantine, 1.3 billion KRW for operating residential treatment centers, 2.25 billion KRW in compensation for losses due to decreased usage of city and village buses, and 17 million KRW in administrative costs for conducting comprehensive investigations.

Seoul will support Seoul Metro and district offices to file separate damage claims for losses such as 3.57 billion KRW in damages to Seoul Metro due to decreased subway ridership, and 1.04 billion KRW in administrative costs incurred by autonomous districts for comprehensive investigations of Sarang Jeil Church members and visitors and on-site inspections of religious facilities.

Separately, damages to the national government and the National Health Insurance Service are estimated at 3.87 billion KRW based on confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church within Seoul. Seoul has requested the formation of a consultative body with the national government and the National Health Insurance Service and plans to share data to prove the damages, exploring all possible measures to substantiate the claims.

Jo In-dong, Director of Planning and Coordination at Seoul City, stated, "Since the damage directly affects citizens' health and lives, we will explore all possible measures to prove the actual damages," adding, "We will actively respond using all administrative power to damages caused by violations of quarantine guidelines and interference with quarantine efforts."