Seoul City Files Police Complaint Against 'Sarang Jeil Church' for Forcing Sunday Worship (Update)

Violation of Assembly Ban Order to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 3rd that it will file a complaint with the Jongam Police Station against Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, which defied the assembly ban order (Article 49 of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act) issued to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and forcibly held Sunday worship services.

The subjects of the complaint include Pastor Park Joong-seop and Pastor Jonathan of Sarang Jeil Church, lawyer Ko Young-il, who led the assembly, as well as unidentified attendees of the assembly for whom evidence has been secured.

The city had previously issued an assembly ban order on the 23rd of last month against the church for not complying with quarantine rules during worship services. However, Pastor Park and others once again illegally occupied not only the inside of the church but also the road and forcibly held Sunday worship on the 29th. The senior pastor, Jeon Kwang-hoon, was not present at the worship on the 29th as he is currently detained in custody.

Yoo Yeon-sik, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Culture Headquarters, stated, "To prevent the community spread of COVID-19 and protect the lives and safety of citizens, active cooperation from religious groups is necessary, including the temporary suspension of on-site worship services and compliance with quarantine rules." He added, "If Sarang Jeil Church continues to violate the assembly ban order, we will respond strongly by filing complaints even against participants of the assemblies."

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