Seoul City Reviewing Cancellation of Shincheonji Corporation Establishment Approval (Update)

Whether to Accuse Lee Man-hee
217 Symptomatic Cases Among 28,317 People
68 Refusers Contacted Again
"Beomtu-bon to Take Action with Police Force"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is reviewing the procedure to cancel the corporate registration of Shincheonji Jesus Church. They are holding Lee Man-hee, the founder, accountable and are also discussing whether to file charges.

On the 28th, during the regular briefing on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Yoo Yeon-sik, Director of the Cultural Headquarters, stated, "We are currently verifying whether there are grounds for cancellation regarding the Shincheonji church corporation and plan to proceed with the cancellation process."

Director Yoo added, "Regarding founder Lee Man-hee, we are continuously urging him to take the test voluntarily and have requested that all Shincheonji followers also undergo testing. We are reviewing the possibility of filing charges if they refuse to comply."

According to Article 38 of the Civil Act, if a corporation engages in business outside its purpose, violates the conditions of its establishment approval, or commits other acts harmful to public interest, the competent authority may cancel the corporation's establishment approval.

Shincheonji was granted corporate establishment approval by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2011 under the name "Eternal Gospel Jesus Mission." In April 2012, the representative's name was changed to Lee Man-hee, and in July of the same year, the name was changed to "New Heaven New Earth Tabernacle Mission of Jesus."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government completed the first round of a full survey of Shincheonji members on the 27th. According to data received from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, there are 28,317 Shincheonji believers residing in Seoul. A full survey was conducted through one-on-one phone calls, of which 1,485 people (5.5%) did not answer. Among respondents, 217 showed symptoms. A total of 2,164 people had visited the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area within the last 14 days or attended the worship service in Gwacheon on February 16. There was one confirmed case (patient number 188).

Kim Tae-gyun, Director of the Administrative Bureau, said, "We plan to conduct a second phone survey targeting 68 people who refused to participate in the investigation. We will inform them about the penalties, which include imprisonment of up to two years or fines up to 20 million won, and cooperate with the police."

Among the symptomatic Shincheonji members, 31 have completed specimen collection, and the remaining 186 have been instructed to visit screening clinics at their respective district health centers for specimen collection. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to monitor whether they visit the clinics.

Director Kim stated, "If the March 1st worship service is forcibly held, we plan to take measures against the Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters (Beomtu-bon) by combining police and administrative powers."

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