Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon Tests Positive for 'COVID-19'... "Diagnostic Testing Needed for Contacts at Liberation Day Rally" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] It has been confirmed that Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the head pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Pastor Jeon's claim that he was never notified to self-quarantine has also been proven false, making it inevitable that he will be held responsible for violating quarantine guidelines and obstructing epidemiological investigations.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced on the afternoon of the 17th that Pastor Jeon was confirmed as a COVID-19 positive case. Although the exact route of infection has not yet been identified, since he tested positive, Pastor Jeon must be immediately isolated and receive treatment.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government reported that Pastor Jeon underwent COVID-19 testing at a general hospital along with an assistant pastor, rather than at a public health center or screening clinic. The exact date of the test has not been confirmed.

At Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where Pastor Jeon serves as head pastor, the number of infections has surged since the first confirmed church member case on the 12th. As of noon that day, there were 315 confirmed cases related to the church. With Pastor Jeon confirmed as COVID-19 positive, urgent testing is required for Sarang Jeil Church members who participated in the Liberation Day rally.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seongbuk-gu Public Health Center notified Pastor Jeon of his self-quarantine status through a church deacon at Sarang Jeil Church in Jangwi-dong at 2:30 p.m. on the 15th. However, Pastor Jeon attended the Liberation Day rally held in Gwanghwamun around 3:10 p.m. and signed the quarantine notice around 6 p.m. the same day.

On the morning of the 17th, a press conference related to the accusation of Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon by the Seoul Metropolitan Government was held near Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 17th, Pastor Jeon's side held a press conference stating, "The obligation to comply with self-quarantine arises only when the individual is notified by authorities that they are subject to quarantine and is aware of it," and claimed, "At the time of the rally, there was no obligation to self-quarantine."

However, the Seoul Metropolitan Government immediately refuted this claim, stating, "Pastor Jeon received notification to self-quarantine and then participated in the rally."

A city official explained, "Pastor Jeon publicly stated that he attended the rally hosted by 'Ilpamanpa' between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Liberation Day, August 15, after receiving the self-quarantine notification," adding, "Not receiving the notice intentionally does not exempt one from the obligation. The obligation to self-quarantine arises from the moment the notice is delivered to the church deacon."

The quarantine authorities also stated, "On the 13th, a closure and gathering ban order was issued for Sarang Jeil Church, and the list of visitors and church members was secured. Emergency disaster text messages were sent to all members instructing them to get tested regardless of symptoms." The authorities emphasized, "On the 14th, an order was issued for COVID-19 testing for Sarang Jeil Church members and visitors, and on the 15th, Seongbuk-gu officials personally delivered the self-quarantine notice to the church, which was received. Therefore, Pastor Jeon's claim that 'he is not subject to self-quarantine' is not acceptable."

Accordingly, the CDSCH and Seoul Metropolitan Government filed a complaint against Pastor Jeon the previous day for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. They believe Pastor Jeon violated self-quarantine measures by attending the Liberation Day rally and obstructed epidemiological investigations by omitting and concealing church-related investigation target lists.

The quarantine authorities urged, "All individuals who came into contact with Pastor Jeon at the Seoul Liberation Day rally on the 15th must be promptly isolated and tested for COVID-19."

On the afternoon of the 15th, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, in Pohang City, Gyeongbuk Province, a COVID-19 positive individual related to Sarang Jeil Church fled before being transferred to a medical center but was caught after four hours. According to Pohang City on the 17th, a man in his 40s, identified as citizen A, was classified as a contact of confirmed case B related to Sarang Jeil Church, tested on the 16th, and confirmed positive on the 17th.

According to the city, before Pohang officials visited his home, A ignored his family's pleas around noon that day and left his house. Police and quarantine authorities estimated his movements and reviewed CCTV footage, capturing him around 4:30 p.m. at Deoksu Park in Deoksu-dong, Buk-gu, and transferred him to Andong Medical Center.

The city explained that A was a Sarang Jeil Church member who had been living at the church since March and came to Pohang on the 13th. A attended the Gwanghwamun rally on the 15th and exhibited fever and cough symptoms.

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