"If You Stop Us, We'll Go to Gwanghwamun" Jeon Gwang-hoon Again Forces In-Person Worship

Withdrawal of Complete Ban on Church Services, Demands for COVID-19 National Investigation
Second In-Person Service Held Following the 18th

After the implementation of 'Social Distancing Level 4,' which prohibits in-person activities at religious facilities, an on-site Sunday worship service is being held on the afternoon of the 25th, the second Sunday, at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the head pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, violated quarantine rules and forcibly held a large-scale in-person worship service. This is the second time following last weekend, which was the first weekend after the social distancing level in the metropolitan area was raised to Level 4. Accordingly, while the Seoul city government is reviewing administrative measures, Pastor Jeon warned that "if the ban on in-person worship is not lifted, we will hold outdoor worship," indicating that the conflict is likely to continue.

Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, held an in-person worship service inside the sanctuary starting around 11 a.m. on the 25th. The worship service was broadcast live online via YouTube and other platforms.

During the service, Pastor Jeon stated, "President Moon Jae-in's oppression is being carried out very severely, and they say they will shut down our church," adding, "If they tell us not to worship, then give us death; we cannot live without worship."

On the same day, officials from Seoul city, Seongbuk-gu, and the police attempted to enter the sanctuary to conduct quarantine inspections. However, the church blocked their entry at the entrance, causing the attempt to fail. It is reported that Seoul city is currently reviewing administrative measures based on the worship scenes broadcast on YouTube.

However, Pastor Jeon's side warned that if Seoul city forcibly closes Sarang Jeil Church's facilities, they will proceed with full-scale outdoor worship as a "countermeasure." Pastor Jeon's legal team held a press conference in front of the church and stated, "If Seoul city issues a facility closure order, we will go to Gwanghwamun Square and officially hold the 'Nationwide Gwanghwamun Worship for the Repentance of the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Restoration of Korea.'"

The legal team also demanded that Seoul city withdraw the complete ban on church worship and conduct a national investigation into COVID-19.

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church / Photo by Yonhap News

This is not the first time Sarang Jeil Church has violated the current metropolitan area quarantine guidelines and forcibly held in-person worship. Sarang Jeil Church held an on-site in-person worship service on the 18th. It is reported that about 150 congregants gathered that day.

Although it was the first weekend after the social distancing level in the metropolitan area was raised to Level 4, the church ignored the quarantine guidelines and forcibly held the on-site worship service. As a result, Sarang Jeil Church has been ordered to suspend operations for 10 days and fined 1.5 million won.

However, Pastor Jeon and Sarang Jeil Church issued a statement at the time, reiterating their determination to continue in-person worship, saying, "The Moon Jae-in government's fraudulent and people-erasing quarantine is not something to follow but the worst deep-rooted evil that must be overthrown through a civil disobedience movement."

Meanwhile, Sarang Jeil Church is currently undergoing related trials after being reported for violating Seoul city's assembly ban order while holding on-site worship services in April last year.

Also, in August of the same year, a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred among congregants who attended worship, leading to a two-week closure of the facility. The cluster infection originating from Sarang Jeil Church led to so-called "n-th generation infections," including secondary and tertiary infections, resulting in a cumulative confirmed case count in the 670s. During this process, Pastor Jeon was also diagnosed with COVID-19 and was transferred to Seoul Medical Center, a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, where he received inpatient treatment.