Sarangjeil Church Forces In-Person Worship Banned Under Social Distancing Level 4
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum Urges "Strict Measures According to Law and Principles"
Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at the "National Rally for the Resignation of the Moon Jae-in Government" held on January 4, 2020, in the afternoon in front of the Kyobo Building in Seoul, hosted by the National Struggle Headquarters for the Resignation of Moon Jae-in. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "We will invoke the people's right to resist." , "Will you take responsibility if COVID-19 spreads?"
Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon is located, forcibly held an in-person Sunday worship service from 11 a.m. on the 18th. In-person worship services are currently banned under the Level 4 social distancing measures. However, Pastor Jeon raised his voice, saying he would invoke the people's right to resist and fight against the 'political quarantine' that unjustly interferes with legitimate worship.
He is also currently active in politics as the leader of the conservative-leaning People's Revolution Party. Citizens are outraged, questioning whether it was necessary to forcibly hold in-person worship during the '4th wave' of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is criticism that COVID-19 might spread uncontrollably.
The People's Revolution Party (led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon) held an emergency press conference in front of Sarang Jeil Church on the 14th, declaring, "We overthrow the government that tries to protect its power through political quarantine," and strongly condemned, "While allowing the use of multi-use facilities such as department stores, subways, and large marts, which are hotbeds of infection, the complete ban on church worship services that have complied with quarantine rules is an act of religious persecution by Moon Jae-in aimed at dismantling Korean churches and believers."
Leader Jeon said, "Churches and pastors who do not resist Moon Jae-in, who persecutes the church, fear worldly power more than God," and "The Korean church and believers declare strong resistance against the suspension of worship services due to the Moon administration's political quarantine."
He also claimed, "Moon Jae-in and the pro-North Korean government are controlling the people to gain an advantage in the presidential election and are deliberately attempting political quarantine to fundamentally block the gathering of conservative forces demanding Moon's overthrow at the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally and the legitimate struggle of Christians."
Citizens are showing reactions of incomprehension. While any rights such as religious worship or assembly should be guaranteed, during the 4th wave of COVID-19, they criticize that situations that could spread COVID-19, such as close contact, should be avoided.
Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "Not necessarily because of Pastor Jeon or other political reasons, but it seems a bit inappropriate because COVID-19 seems likely to spread (through in-person worship)." He added, "I hope the pandemic calms down a bit before holding rallies or worship."
Park, a worker in his 20s, also said, "Once COVID-19 starts spreading, it harms not only oneself but also people around," and added, "I hope they would please hold back."
Earlier, Sarang Jeil Church held an in-person main worship service from 11 a.m. on the 18th. The congregants attending the service checked their infection status using COVID-19 self-diagnosis kits before entering the sanctuary. A list of attendees was created, and body disinfection was conducted.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government planned to inspect the in-person worship site that day and file charges against church officials for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, but the church officials blocked entry, preventing the city from properly inspecting the worship site.
Also, the church denied some reports stating "three worship services were held in the morning," saying, "Reports that three services were held at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m. are not true," and clarified, "Only the 11 a.m. Sunday main worship service was held."
Sarang Jeil Church was previously reported last April for violating Seoul's assembly ban order by holding on-site worship services. In August last year, a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred, leading to a two-week closure of the facility.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to review related measures such as suspension of operations and fines if it confirms in-person worship services at Sarang Jeil Church through worship videos uploaded on YouTube and other related materials.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired a meeting at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in the government Seoul office that afternoon and requested, regarding the forcible holding of in-person worship at Sarang Jeil Church and others, "The quarantine authorities should take strict measures according to laws and principles," and "Please carefully review the court's judgment on in-person worship to ensure there is no confusion in quarantine rules."
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