Seoul City "4.6 Billion Won Damage Lawsuit Against Sarang Jeil Church" vs Church "President Moon, Let's Have a Public Debate"

Sarangjeil Church Proposes Public Debate with President Moon and Jung Eun-kyung

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who is being re-incarcerated due to bail cancellation, is speaking to the press in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu on the afternoon of the 7th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the Seoul Metropolitan Government filed a lawsuit claiming 4.6 billion KRW in damages against Sarang Jeil Church for responsibility in the resurgence of COVID-19, the church stated that they are not responsible for the spread of COVID-19 and announced their intention to file a countersuit for damages against Seoul.

On the 20th, Kang Yeonjae, the lawyer representing Pastor Jeon Gwanghoon, held a press conference in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, saying, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government has filed a damage claim against the church," and added, "Since the lawsuit has just begun, the church will also file a countersuit against Seoul for damages."

He further pointed out, "Seoul must first clarify the causal relationship regarding who the church or Pastor Jeon infected and how the spread occurred."

On the same day, Lawyer Kang also demanded a "public debate" with President Moon Jae-in and Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters.

He claimed, "Medical experts consulted by the church say that the government's COVID-19 testing criteria and social distancing policy decision standards are completely flawed and that they acted in a coordinated manner solely to punish citizens opposing Moon Jae-in," adding, "They judge that the policy direction pursued by President Moon and Director Jung is seriously wrong."

He continued, "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, President Moon and Director Jung have done only three things: first, testing only about 3-4% of the entire population, which is far below global standards; second, a witch hunt that blames specific groups for all responsibility when hidden confirmed cases emerge due to lack of testing; third, allowing entry of Chinese nationals and facilitating the funeral of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, leading to blind spread."

He added, "Why do President Moon and Director Jung hold all the information and only disclose what they want? If they are so confident and consider themselves national heroes, they should come out and have a public debate."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 18th, Seoul filed a complaint for damages against Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon, holding them responsible for causing a large-scale resurgence of COVID-19.

The damages claimed by Seoul against the church and Pastor Jeon amount to a total of 4.62 billion KRW, including △ 330 million KRW borne by the city for treatment costs of 641 confirmed cases △ 660 million KRW for living support expenses for those in self-quarantine △ 1.36 billion KRW for operating living treatment centers △ 2.25 billion KRW for loss compensation due to decreased use of city and village buses △ 17 million KRW for expenses related to full-scale investigation overtime and night work.

Seoul stated, "Due to Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon's refusal to cooperate with epidemiological investigations, obstruction, submission of false data, and other violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, COVID-19 has resurged nationwide, including the metropolitan area," adding, "In particular, Seoul recognizes a significant causal relationship with substantial damages and holds them liable for damages under Article 750 of the Civil Act concerning tort liability."

Meanwhile, Pastor Jeon Gwanghoon was re-incarcerated on the 7th after his bail was revoked following his detention on charges including violation of the Public Official Election Act.