'Arrest Warrants Denied for Elders and Pastors of Sarang Jeil Church Accused of Obstructing Epidemiological Investigation'

On the 20th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, the scene of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mo Nam Moon munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The arrest warrants for the pastor and elder of Sarang Jeil Church, who are accused of obstructing the epidemiological investigation by quarantine authorities, have been dismissed.

On the afternoon of the 24th, Kim Tae-gyun, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, held a pre-arrest detention hearing for Pastor Lee and Elder Kim, stating, "Considering the extent of the evidence collected so far, the progress of the investigation, and the residences of the suspects, it is difficult to see any risk of the suspects fleeing or destroying evidence at this stage," and dismissed their warrants.

Judge Kim also mentioned, "There is room for dispute as to whether the request for CCTV footage in this case falls under the 'methods of epidemiological investigation' as defined by the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act and its enforcement decree."

This law limits the methods of epidemiological investigation to ▲survey and interview ▲collection and testing of human specimens ▲collection and testing of environmental specimens ▲collection and testing of specimens from infectious disease vectors such as insects and animals ▲medical record investigation and physician interviews. The statement implies that there is a dispute over whether the request by Seongbuk-gu for CCTV footage from Sarang Jeil Church qualifies as a method of epidemiological investigation as stipulated by law.

Lee and others have been under investigation for allegedly refusing to comply with Seongbuk-gu's request to provide church CCTV footage for epidemiological investigation after a Sarang Jeil Church member was confirmed positive for COVID-19, and for allegedly removing the data.

Meanwhile, since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed at Sarang Jeil Church on the 12th of last month, more than 1,000 confirmed cases have been reported.