Jeonnam Province Issues Administrative Order for Shincheonji Followers' Daegu Visit Reporting and Testing

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has issued an administrative order against the Shincheonji sect and its followers based on the "Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act" to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

The province urged the Shincheonji church, including Chairman Lee Man-hee, to submit the list of attendees at the Shincheonji church's Daegu gathering on the 16th of last month and any omitted followers. It also mandated that followers who attended the Daegu gathering or visited the Daegu area after the 15th of last month must report to health centers and undergo testing, the province announced on the 1st.

Additionally, followers of Shincheonji who have not been contacted by the relevant city or county authorities are required to voluntarily report to health centers, and violations of this order will result in legal action.

So far, since the 26th of last month, the province has conducted a full investigation of 16,509 individuals, including 15,681 Shincheonji followers and trainees received from the government and 378 identified by local governments, confirming the identities of 15,629 people (97.3%).

Among them, 119 showed symptoms; 94 tested negative, and the remaining 25 are still undergoing testing.

Despite continuous contact attempts via phone and text messages, 430 followers whose whereabouts remain unknown are being investigated on-site and tracked in cooperation with the police.

In particular, among 695 high-risk occupational workers in public institutions, medical institutions, social welfare facilities, and educational institutions, all 21 symptomatic individuals tested negative.

The province recommended self-quarantine for all high-risk workers related to the Shincheonji church to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and plans to continue special management by having health center experts check symptoms at least twice daily.

Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok said, "We urge the Shincheonji church to promptly submit the list of unreported individuals," and added, "Those who attended the Daegu gathering or visited the Daegu area should voluntarily report and get tested immediately if symptomatic."

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