"There Is Some Misunderstanding" BTJ Yeolbang Center, a Friend to the Poor in Cold and Hunger

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jucheol In] “There seems to be some misunderstanding.” “They are friends to the naked and poor, a warm family who first came to help when people were shivering from cold and hunger.” Local residents spoke of the InterCP Mission BTJ Yeolbang Center, which was ordered to close by the local government, in this way.

A, who identified himself as a local native, said emphatically, “Before the Yeolbang Center came in, this place was a wasteland. It was a slum. After the center was established, the local commercial district and economy revived.”

Choi Baul, CEO of InterCP, has gained a reputation as a caring person who serves the locals like family, sometimes like parents, laughing and crying together with neighbors.

B, whom we met in Hwaseo-myeon, said, “If it were not for the staff working at the center when I was abandoned by my family and had nowhere to go, I would not be a person in this world.”

He added, “They are friends to the naked and poor, a warm family who first came to help when people were shivering from cold and hunger,” and burst into tears.

InterCP Mission filed a provisional injunction to suspend the effect of the assembly ban and closure order and an administrative lawsuit at the Daegu District Court.

InterCP stated the reason for the lawsuit, saying, “The assembly ban and facility closure orders issued on the grounds that InterCP did not cooperate with the quarantine authorities in Sangju City are excessive and unequal measures. In particular, the indefinite closure until a separate order is given is an abuse of authority.”

Kang Yohan, Secretary General of InterCP, said, “The closure order notice does not specify the period for how long the closure will last,” and explained the reason for the provisional injunction application, “We verbally requested Sangju City several times to specify this, but received no response.”

He said, “Some missionary accommodations at the BTJ Yeolbang Center house missionaries who are exhausted and ill from activities abroad,” and added, “We requested Sangju City not to evict missionaries who have nowhere to go, but the request was rejected.”

He continued, “Hundreds of missionaries affiliated with InterCP are active in remote overseas areas, and if administrative, welfare, and other logistic support are not provided, they will face great difficulties,” and said, “In case of an accident or an unresolvable situation, please allow at least operational staff to work.”

Secretary General Kang stated, “The provisional injunction application is not a protest against the administrative order itself or a form of resistance to the administrative order, but a minimal plea to support overseas missionaries.”

Meanwhile, CEO Choi Baul expressed an apology on the 18th through an InterCP press release, saying, “We sincerely apologize for the large number of COVID-19 infections caused by visitors to the InterCP Yeolbang Center.”

He continued, “Since November 27 of last year, those who have visited the Yeolbang Center and have not undergone diagnostic testing are earnestly urged to promptly visit a nearby public health center or hospital for testing,” and emphasized, “If you do not get tested now, you will miss the last golden time.”