Seoul's New COVID-19 Cases Hit Triple Digits for the First Time... Among 146 Cases, 107 Are 'Sarang Jeil Church' Members (Comprehensive)

Seoul City to File Charges Against Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon and Church Officials
4,066 Congregants and Visitors Subject to Testing... 2 Million KRW Fine for Noncompliance

On the 10th, merchants and visitors near the screening clinic for COVID-19 set up at Namdaemun Market in Seoul are undergoing specimen tests. According to Seoul City and Jung-gu, eight merchants at Kennedy Arcade in Namdaemun Market were confirmed positive for COVID-19. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] For the first time ever, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Seoul exceeded 100 within a single day. Among the 146 new confirmed cases, 107 were identified as related to Sarang Jeil Church located in Seongbuk-gu, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Government to file charges against the church, including its senior pastor.

Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul (First Deputy Mayor for Administration), announced this during an emergency briefing on the morning of the 16th, urging, "All workers, believers, and visitors of Sarang Jeil Church must immediately get tested at the nearest public health center or testing site."

As of midnight on the same day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Seoul reached 1,987, an increase of 146 from the previous day. This marks the first time since the outbreak began that daily new cases in Seoul have exceeded 100, more than three times the previous peak on March 10. Of the 146 new cases, 107 are linked to Sarang Jeil Church.

Acting Mayor Seo described the situation as "a critical crisis level surpassing anything experienced before," adding, "This holiday period is a critical moment for preventing a rapid spread." He also warned, "Strict legal measures will be taken against any acts that hinder quarantine efforts or show non-cooperation, threatening the safety and lives of the entire community."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Rapid Increase in Confirmed Cases Related to Sarang Jeil Church

As of this date, the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church nationwide has reached 193, including 145 in Seoul. The city has issued orders for testing to 4,066 individuals identified as targets for testing at Sarang Jeil Church, confirming the whereabouts of 3,397 of them, while the remaining 669 have not yet been located.

Acting Mayor Seo stated, "With cooperation from the National Police Agency, Seoul city officials will conduct door-to-door visits today to strongly urge prompt testing and self-quarantine," adding, "We will also re-verify the list of testing targets through the church administrative office’s computer-stored member lists and handwritten attendance records."

The city further explained that, related to Sarang Jeil Church, 771 church members and visitors have undergone testing so far, with 144 testing positive and 280 testing negative. The results for the remaining individuals are still pending.

Acting Mayor Seo emphasized, "Among the testing targets related to Sarang Jeil Church, 1,971 residents of Seoul have been promptly guided to undergo COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine," and urged, "We ask that believers and visitors residing in the other 16 cities and provinces also get tested as soon as possible." He warned, "Failure to undergo testing may result in a fine of up to 2 million KRW under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and claims for damages may be pursued if confirmed cases occur."

Separately from the testing targets, charges have already been decided against Senior Pastor Jeon. Acting Mayor Seo said, "Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, as a responsible party for quarantine and a self-quarantine subject, violated self-quarantine rules and deliberately delayed believers’ diagnostic testing by spreading false information," adding, "This is a clear violation that threatens the safety and lives of the community. We will file charges against Pastor Jeon and Sarang Jeil Church officials for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act."

Seoul Hospital Bed Occupancy Rate Exceeds 50% Due to Surge in Patients

As of 10 p.m. the previous day, Seoul reported that 389 out of 755 COVID-19 hospital beds were in use, pushing the occupancy rate beyond 51.5%.

In preparation for the surge in bed demand, the city is currently operating a 100-bed residential treatment center and plans to promptly secure an additional total of 350 beds. Furthermore, for those unable to self-isolate at home, the city has secured 542 rooms in temporary living facilities using downtown hotels and plans to acquire more.

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