Sarangjeil Church Again Forces In-Person Worship... Seongbuk-gu Plans to Discuss Additional Measures

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Despite the Level 4 social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area, Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, once again held an in-person worship service on the 1st.

Sarang Jeil Church conducted the main worship service in person from 11 a.m. to around 3 p.m. that day.

Seongbuk-gu and others attempted to enter the church to check compliance with quarantine rules. However, when they were unable to enter, they reportedly began on-site evidence collection at the church’s front and back gates from around 2:30 p.m. to identify the number of attendees at the in-person worship service. Seongbuk-gu is known to be planning additional measures, including an order to suspend operations.

Sarang Jeil Church had previously defied the ban on in-person worship services under the Level 4 social distancing rules in the metropolitan area on the 18th of last month, resulting in an order to suspend operations from July 22 to 31 and a fine of 1.5 million won from Seongbuk-gu.

However, the church again held an in-person worship service on the 25th of last month, and Seongbuk-gu is proceeding with the closure of Sarang Jeil Church’s facilities under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

In response, Sarang Jeil Church held a press conference on the 29th of last month, demanding that the closure of facilities for holding in-person worship services be stopped and announced plans to file a compensation lawsuit against the state.