Unidentified 'Sarangjeil Church' Believer Likely Tracked by Police... Investigation into Liberation Day Rally Intensifies

Seoul City Requests Overall Cooperation from Police
Formation of Special Investigation Team for Illegal Gatherings
Plan to Summon Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon

On the afternoon of the 15th, a rally condemning corruption in the Moon Jae-in administration, abuse of power by Choo Mi-ae, and sexual harassment by Democratic Party local government heads was held in front of Dongwha Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, hosted by Sarangjeil Church and the Liberty Solidarity.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As the cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are spreading mainly among metropolitan churches including Seoul Sarang Jeil Church led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the police are expected to begin tracking down believers whose whereabouts are unknown.

A National Police Agency official said in a phone call with Asia Economy on the 16th, "It has been confirmed that the Seoul Metropolitan Government sent an official letter requesting overall cooperation regarding COVID-19 response," adding, "No specific requests to track down any particular individuals have been received yet."

The official added, "The Seoul city quarantine authorities will first track down (those whose whereabouts are unknown), and if contact cannot be made, they are expected to request police cooperation," and "If a request comes in, a 'Rapid Response Team' will be deployed."

Earlier in February, when a cluster infection of COVID-19 occurred within the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), the police formed a joint rapid response team consisting of related departments such as criminal investigation, investigation, women and youth, and intelligence at police stations nationwide. The currently operating rapid response team consists of a total of 8,559 members and has contributed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 through active tracking not only during the Shincheonji outbreak but also during the Itaewon club cluster infection.

Previously, Seoul announced that among 4,066 believers and visitors of Sarang Jeil Church, 669 could not be contacted. Accordingly, quarantine authorities are expected to first track down those whose whereabouts are unknown, and if they still cannot be located, they will request police cooperation.

Senior Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church. / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Meanwhile, the police investigation into the organizers of the large-scale rally forcibly held in downtown Seoul on Liberation Day has also begun in earnest. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency formed a dedicated investigation team of 29 members, led by the head of the investigation department as the task force (TF) team leader, the day before.

The police requested the attendance of four key participants on the same day. In addition, they are analyzing evidence and confirming charges against 30 people who were arrested for assaulting police officers or disobeying dispersal orders during the rally. Among them, if the charges are serious or there is a risk of flight, the police are reportedly considering applying for arrest warrants.

Furthermore, the police plan to request the attendance of Pastor Jeon, who was reported by the government and Seoul city for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act by participating in the rally despite being ordered to self-quarantine. However, since Pastor Jeon is subject to self-quarantine, the investigation is expected to be conducted in consultation with quarantine authorities. The police also plan to verify whether Sarang Jeil Church believers who participated in the rally committed any illegal acts.

Additionally, a man who drove a vehicle and charged at police officers guarding the rally site near Gyeongbokgung Station intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul, around 8:30 p.m. the previous day, was arrested on charges of obstructing official duties and is under police investigation. It is known that he was wearing only underwear at the time of arrest. His affiliation and the circumstances of the crime have not yet been confirmed.

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