Park Won-soon "Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Cheonggye Plaza Gatherings Prohibited... Four Shincheonji Churches in the City Closed"

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon adjusts his glasses before announcing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at an emergency briefing held at the Seoul City Hall briefing room on the 21st. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Osangdo] On the 21st, Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, announced that to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), assemblies are banned at the three major plazas: Gwanghwamun Plaza, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggye Plaza, and four Shincheonji Church locations in the city will be temporarily closed.

Mayor Park held an emergency press conference at the Seoul City Hall briefing room that morning to announce these measures.

He explained, "This is a measure to protect the elderly who are vulnerable to infectious diseases," adding, "Large-scale assemblies have been continuously held around Gwanghwamun Plaza every week, raising concerns about infection among elderly participants."

The ban on the use of Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza, and Gwanghwamun Plaza is in accordance with Article 49, Paragraph 1 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act. This law stipulates that assemblies in urban areas can be restricted to prevent infectious diseases. Violations may result in fines of up to 3 million won per individual.

Mayor Park said, "Some groups may insist on holding assemblies," and added, "Since extraordinary measures are necessary, the city will notify groups planning large-scale assemblies of the ban starting today and will also request cooperation from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency."

Mayor Park also announced plans to temporarily close Shincheonji churches, which have been identified as a vector for community infection. He stated, "We have determined that extraordinary measures are necessary for Shincheonji church worship services or assemblies, which are close-contact spaces, and will close Shincheonji churches located in Seoul starting today." The targets are four churches operating as missionary offices in Yeongdeungpo, Seodaemun, Nowon-gu, and Gangseo-gu.

Mayor Park said this is "in accordance with Article 47 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act," and added, "After Seoul City conducts disinfection and quarantine, church activities will be permitted once safety is confirmed and normal worship activities can resume."

To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, Mayor Park also announced the intention to temporarily close 3,467 social welfare facilities, including senior welfare centers and comprehensive social welfare centers, starting today. Previously, Seoul City had recommended temporary closures of senior centers and similar facilities to district offices.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.