"To People, I'm Not a Criminal, I Didn't Create COVID-19"…The Plea of a COVID-19 Confirmed Patient

Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong Shares Part of a Letter from a COVID-19 Patient on Facebook on the 24th
Patient Says "Rumors about Shincheonji, Multi-level Marketing, etc. Are Spreading"
"My Heart Hurts More Thinking About Those Around Me Struggling Than Being Sick"

Photo by Heo Tae-jung, Mayor of Daejeon, Facebook post capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] "I have become a sinner to countless people. I did not create or spread COVID-19 myself..."

On the 24th, Heo Tae-jeong, Mayor of Daejeon, shared part of a letter from a confirmed COVID-19 patient on his Facebook page.

According to the disclosed letter, the confirmed patient briefly explained the process leading up to their positive diagnosis and expressed their feelings. The patient wrote, "I thought it wouldn't be me, but I am also a confirmed patient," and added, "Our family's personal information was exposed on the internet, and various rumors spread that I was part of Shincheonji or involved in multi-level marketing."

He said, "I have become a sinner to countless people," and continued, "My whole body aches and hurts, but more than this pain, my heart aches and I feel depressed thinking about the people around me who are struggling because of me."

He then expressed, "I did not create or spread COVID-19, and I was infected without even knowing it myself," and asked, "Then, am I not also a victim?"

The confirmed patient criticized the media exposure of their family's personal information, asking, "Does that at least help prevent the spread of COVID-19?"

He added, "I do not expect any treatment," and said, "Even if I were treated, how could I hold my head up living under the harsh gaze of citizens? I am a sinner."

Along with part of the letter, Mayor Heo wrote, "Today, six confirmed cases occurred in Daejeon, and I apologize," and explained, "Most are contacts of unregistered multi-level marketing-related confirmed patients."

He added, "The Daejeon city government is making every effort to block the spread of COVID-19," and said, "We will improve any shortcomings such as disclosure of movement routes going forward."

He continued, "The following is a letter from a confirmed patient in the hospital," and added, "It is a letter that makes us reflect on ourselves and our society, so I am sharing it."

During a non-face-to-face online briefing that morning, Mayor Heo also introduced this letter and emphasized, "There have been excessive personal attacks on confirmed patients, which is very regrettable," and said, "Confirmed patients are also citizens who are suffering greatly from their diagnosis, and since they did not contract the virus intentionally, they need warm comfort."

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