Jeon Gwang-hoon, who claimed to be "fine," tests positive along with wife and secretary... lowers mask and smiles in ambulance

Former Pastor Tests Positive for COVID-19 on the Afternoon of the 17th
Wore Mask on Chin and Smiled During Ambulance Transport

Jeon Gwang-hoon, the senior pastor of Sarang Jeil Church who was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection, is seen leaving the Sarang Jeil Church parsonage in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 17th and boarding a Seongbuk Public Health Center vehicle. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the head pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), was transferred to Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul. It has been confirmed that Pastor Jeon's wife and secretary also tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Seoul City and Seongbuk-gu on the 17th, Pastor Jeon underwent a COVID-19 test at a hospital in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, in the morning and received a positive result in the afternoon. It is also reported that Pastor Jeon's wife, Seo Mo, and his secretary tested positive.

Accordingly, the three, including Pastor Jeon, his wife, and secretary, were transferred to Seoul Medical Center for isolation treatment.

Pastor Jeon was tested after nine close associates, including the associate pastor and evangelist of Sarang Jeil Church, tested positive between the 15th and 16th.

On August 15th, during the Liberation Day rally, Pastor Jeon stated, "I don't even have a fever. I have no symptoms of illness at all."

He also expressed dissatisfaction with being designated for quarantine, saying, "Today, the district office came to our church and said they designated me, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, as a quarantine target, even though I am perfectly fine." The rally was estimated by the organizers to have been attended by about 50,000 people.

In particular, Pastor Jeon was criticized after media captured him smiling and looking at his cellphone with his mask lowered below his chin while being transported in an ambulance.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and Seoul City filed a complaint with the police on the 16th against Pastor Jeon for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

Seoul City explained the reason for the complaint against Pastor Jeon as "Pastor Jeon violated self-quarantine rules and is suspected of instructing and aiding the failure to comply with testing orders."

In response, Sarang Jeil Church held a press conference in front of the church on the morning of the 17th, claiming, "Pastor Jeon is not subject to self-quarantine," and "Even if he were, there is no fact that he violated the self-quarantine obligation."

Meanwhile, the first COVID-19 case among Sarang Jeil Church members was confirmed on the 12th, and as of noon on the 17th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church stands at 319.

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