Jin-pyo Kim: "Jesus' Words 'Love Your Neighbor'... Please Refrain from Gatherings and Worship"

"Appeal to Over 60,000 Pastors Nationwide... Please Replace Worship with Online Services"
Despite Over 3,000 COVID-19 Cases, Some Churches Proceed with Sunday Worship

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Kim Jin-pyo, Chairman of the National Assembly's Special Committee on COVID-19, has requested that all pastors nationwide, numbering around 60,000, replace all worship services with online services.

On the afternoon of the 29th, Kim posted on his Facebook, "I earnestly ask all 60,000 pastors nationwide to replace all worship services with online services to prevent the community spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)."

He added, "My wife and I will also conduct early morning prayers and Sunday worship online," and "As the chairman of the National Assembly Breakfast Prayer Meeting, the large-scale international event originally scheduled for the 26th of next month has been postponed to September 28."

Kim emphasized, "Reports continue that community infections are spreading among small groups of worship participants in various regions nationwide," and earnestly urged, "Just as Jesus taught to 'love your neighbor as yourself,' I sincerely ask you to follow the national recommendation to refrain from community gatherings and worship services to protect your own and your neighbors' lives."

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of 5 p.m. that day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases exceeded 3,000. However, some Protestant churches have decided to proceed with Sunday worship on the 30th, raising concerns about mass infections through worship services. Previously, the Catholic and Buddhist communities had recently suspended all masses and ceremonies. Kim is known as a devout Christian and elder.

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