'Quarantine Non-cooperation' War with Shincheonji... Local Governments and Police Strictly Punish by Law

Seoul, Daegu, and 10 Other Local Governments
Considering Charges Against Cult Members for False Movement Statements and Quarantine Refusal

Police Investigate 20 Cases of Violations Against Quarantine Measures
Strengthened Punishment Provisions Under Infectious Disease Control Act
Immediate Investigation Launched for Intentional Violations

On the 5th, the government investigation team, including the Special Management Task Force of the Central Accident Response Headquarters, which completed an administrative investigation of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, is leaving the facility.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji) members have repeatedly lied about their movement paths related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) or refused to comply with quarantine authorities' measures, local governments have taken out the card of on-site investigations and legal actions. The police plan to promptly launch investigations considering COVID-19 confirmation status and intentionality.

According to the National Police Agency on the 9th, a total of 20 cases related to violations of quarantine authorities' measures such as self-quarantine breaches are under investigation as of the previous day. In particular, the police are conducting investigations into Shincheonji members' refusal to cooperate with quarantine measures, focusing on Daegu and Gyeongbuk, where the highest number of COVID-19 cases occurred. On the 28th of last month, a man in his 20s, Shincheonji member A, who was confirmed positive for COVID-19 in Daegu, spat at a public health official in an ambulance. Earlier, on the 8th, Shincheonji member B (67) refused to enter a life treatment center, caused a disturbance, fled, and was later apprehended again. These incidents are currently under police investigation.

Moreover, in Andong City, Gyeongbuk, a Shincheonji member in his 30s opened his caf? and served customers during self-quarantine. This member was eventually confirmed positive. Also, in Hanmaeum Apartment in Daegu, which was the first residential building to undergo 'cohort isolation,' quarantine authorities report that one or two confirmed cases violated self-quarantine guidelines. Among the 140 residents of this apartment, 94 are Shincheonji members. One confirmed Shincheonji case in Daegu visited three community centers in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, but omitted this during the initial epidemiological investigation. Another confirmed Shincheonji case in Incheon was caught hiding the fact that they attended worship services.

Due to the repeated lies by Shincheonji, local governments could no longer tolerate and have taken out the 'legal action' card. About ten local governments, including Daegu City, Incheon City, Gyeongju City, Andong City, Pohang City in Gyeongbuk, and Wonju City in Gangwon, have either filed complaints against Shincheonji members or are considering doing so. Seoul City previously filed a complaint against Chairman Lee Man-hee for murder and other charges, and on the morning of the 9th, conducted an on-site inspection of the incorporated association's office in Dongjak-gu.

The police plan to respond to legal cases mainly through the 'COVID-19 Rapid Response Team,' which consists of 8,559 officers deployed across 273 police stations nationwide. Since much of the tracking of Shincheonji members has been completed, the focus will be on investigations related to refusal of epidemiological investigations, diagnostic tests, treatment, and isolation measures by quarantine authorities. With the recent introduction of a self-quarantine app, efforts will also concentrate on tracking those who have absconded. Following the passage of the amended Infectious Disease Prevention Act, which strengthens penalties, at the National Assembly on the 4th, refusal to comply with hospitalization or isolation orders by quarantine authorities can result in imprisonment of up to one year or fines up to 10 million won.

However, since the police cannot immediately investigate confirmed cases, the principle is to conduct investigations after recovery, carefully examining the intentionality behind refusal. A police official emphasized, "We will actively cooperate with quarantine authorities and local governments and strictly prosecute illegal acts that defy the authorities."

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