Gathering in Downtown Seoul Morning to Listen to YouTube Sermon
Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon "Will Hold United Worship Service Next Week"
Believers of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, who received a facility closure order from the local district office, are holding an on-site worship service on the 22nd in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Seoul Sarang Jeil Church, which was ordered to close its facilities by the local district office after repeatedly holding large-scale in-person worship services in violation of quarantine guidelines, held an 'online worship service' outdoors on the 22nd. Congregants gathered at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Station, and other locations, listening to Senior Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon's sermon via smartphones.
Sarang Jeil Church conducted a 'National United Worship Service' through YouTube around 11 a.m. that day. Pastor Jeon delivered the sermon live from a separate studio.
The congregants gathered in downtown Seoul locations such as Dongwha Duty Free Shop and the central stairs of Seoul Station, listening to Pastor Jeon's sermon using their smartphones. Most congregants complied with quarantine rules such as wearing masks, but some shared food with each other or sang hymns loudly.
The police deployed riot squads to Gwanghwamun Square and other areas. They set up fences to control the entry and exit of congregants and requested them to move for traffic safety. Some congregants raised their voices toward the police, but no direct clashes such as physical fights were reported.
In the sermon broadcasted on YouTube, Pastor Jeon expressed his determination to continue holding outdoor worship services. He said, "Because our church was closed, we came out to worship at a refuge," and emphasized, "Next week, we will hold a united worship service with all the saints coming out to Gwanghwamun."
On the 22nd, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, senior pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, delivered a sermon through a YouTube broadcast / Photo by 'NeoaraTV' YouTube channel capture
Sarang Jeil Church had conflicts with Seongbuk-gu over worship methods since the social distancing level in the metropolitan area was raised to Level 4. Earlier, on the weekend of the 18th of last month, which was the first weekend after the Level 4 upgrade, the church forcibly held an in-person worship service with about 150 congregants. During this process, there was a scuffle as church members blocked district officials attempting to enter the worship hall.
Pastor Jeon has strongly opposed restrictions on large-scale in-person worship services. He lamented, "President Moon Jae-in's oppression is extremely severe, trying to shut down our church," and said, "If you tell us not to worship, then give us death; we cannot live without worship."
He also warned of a 'countermeasure' by stating that if Seoul City forcibly closes the church facilities, "We will go out to Gwanghwamun Square and actively hold a 'National Gwanghwamun Worship Service for the Repentance of the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Restoration of Korea.'"
Despite this, Sarang Jeil Church continued to hold large-scale in-person worship services. After multiple in-person worship services violating quarantine guidelines were forcibly held, the district office delivered a facility closure order to the church at 5 p.m. on the 19th and closed the church the following day (the 20th).
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