"Jeon Gwang-hoon Sends Congregants to Jjimjilbang... Continuously Ignored Quarantine Rules"

Protestant Civic Group Claims "Sarangejeil Church Members Do Not Follow Quarantine Rules"

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who tested positive for COVID-19, is leaving the Sarang Jeil Church parsonage in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 17th and moving to board a Seongbuk Public Health Center vehicle. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is rapidly increasing, the epicenter is being pointed to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. In response, a Protestant civic group that infiltrated and reported on Sarang Jeil Church claimed that Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of this church has ignored quarantine rules, such as sending church members who attended gatherings after COVID-19 to jjimjilbangs (Korean saunas).

On the 18th, Kwon Ji-yeon, head of the Peace Tree News Center, revealed internal issues of Sarang Jeil Church in an interview with MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," stating, "Jeon Gwang-hoon's gatherings often feature scenes reminiscent of revival meetings from the 1980s."

Kwon explained, "Starting June 8, Sarang Jeil Church began holding special theological lectures, claiming to train pastors within the church. There was controversy over their promise to 'create a six-month accelerated pastor course.' From July 6 to 8, a large-scale gathering was held at Sarang Jeil Church, followed by a three-day Holy Spirit Explosion Conference from July 27 to 29," emphasizing that large-scale gatherings continued.

She added, "During worship, attendees were required to wear masks, hand sanitizers were provided, and temperatures were taken. However, many were observed removing masks after the service. Social distancing was not practiced during worship. People sat in groups of three to five to eat, and since the church could not accommodate everyone overnight, members were told to sleep at nearby jjimjilbangs, with membership fees even being refunded for this purpose."

She continued, "Not only Jeon Gwang-hoon but also his lawyers claim, 'We are currently being oppressed.' As a result, there is a high probability that church members naturally become less cooperative with quarantine measures," expressing concern.

Kwon stated, "The members come to the gatherings under the misconception that the country is becoming communist, believing this to be patriotism. Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon himself claims to be a spiritual figure and instills in his supporters the belief that 'If the country is becoming communist, how can we fear something like COVID-19?'"

Meanwhile, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced at a regular briefing that the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to the Sarang Jeil Church cluster infection in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, had risen to 457 as of noon that day.

Kwon Jun-wook, deputy director of the CDSCH, expressed concern, saying, "As of midnight, among the 4,066 church members whose names were secured, 3,436 have been located. The regional distribution includes 1,971 in Seoul, 890 in Gyeonggi, 132 in Incheon, 77 in Gyeongbuk, and 57 in Chungnam, among other areas, raising concerns about nationwide spread."

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