Shincheonji: "It Was Impossible to Submit a 'False Believer List'... We Will Actively Cooperate"

Allegation of List Omission: "Intentional Omission Impossible... Delivered Without Alteration"

Lee Man-hee, the president of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), is holding up a letter at a press conference related to the COVID-19 situation held on the 2nd at the Shincheonji Palace of Peace in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Lee Man-hee, the president of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, expressed his apology on the 2nd regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) centered on Shincheonji members.

At the same time, the Shincheonji side strongly denied the rumors of ‘submission of false member lists’ raised by some.

At around 3 p.m. on the same day, President Lee said at a press conference held at the Palace of Peace in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, "I sincerely apologize to the people regarding the COVID-19 incident," adding, "It was not intentional, but many infections occurred."

He said, "The government authorities have made their best efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we are also actively cooperating," emphasizing, "We will do our best to the extent of our ability and will not spare any human or material support to the government."

Earlier, Shincheonji had planned to hold a press conference in the basement level 1 of the Palace of Peace on the same day, but Gyeonggi Province notified that press conferences inside the Palace of Peace facilities would not be allowed due to concerns about COVID-19 infection, so it was held in the yard.

Meanwhile, Seoul City filed a complaint against Shincheonji on the 1st for not taking active measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Korea, those related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church account for 57% of the total.

In response, Shincheonji actively explained the ‘submission of false member lists’ rumor as well.

At the press conference, a Shincheonji official stated, “There was an error in the process of comparing the lists received by Gyeonggi Province and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The lists were delivered without any additions or omissions, and intentional omission was impossible.”

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