Kim In-ho, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Strongly Urges Seoul City to Claim Compensation from Sarang Jeil Church over COVID-19 Outbreak

Seojeonghyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul, stated at a COVID-19 briefing held at Seoul City Hall, "We will take strong action by claiming compensation rights against both the Sarang Jeil Church and individuals for causing administrative and budgetary waste through evasion, falsehood, and noncompliance during diagnostic testing and epidemiological investigations related to the church."

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, recently strongly urged the Seoul Metropolitan Government to immediately file a claim for damages against Sarang Jeil Church (Senior Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon) located in Seongbuk-gu, which is responsible for the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the metropolitan area.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Chairman Kim In-ho, during a phone call with Acting Mayor of Seoul Seo Jeong-hyeop, insisted that the Seoul Metropolitan Government should promptly and actively exercise its right to claim damages for the harm caused by the COVID-19 outbreak originating from Sarang Jeil Church.

In response, Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop stated at a COVID-19 briefing held at Seoul City Hall that "Regarding the diagnostic testing and epidemiological investigation related to Sarang Jeil Church, the church and individuals will be held accountable and claims for damages will be filed for causing administrative and budgetary waste through evasion, falsehood, and non-compliance," expressing a strong stance.

At a time when the central government and all local governments are fully committed to COVID-19 prevention and stabilizing public livelihood, activities deliberately violating or obstructing quarantine guidelines centered around Sarang Jeil Church are continuing, causing public outrage.

Chairman Kim holds the position that claims for damages should be exercised for quarantine costs and treatment expenses, and active compensation claims should be pursued.

Kim stated, "The government and local governments are doing their utmost to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for the health and safety of the people," adding, "Any reasonable citizen should cooperate and participate to the fullest extent."

He added, "Especially at a time when rapid epidemiological investigation through tracking infected individuals’ movements is crucial, the related church’s failure to cooperate properly is unreasonable behavior. Active claims for damages are necessary for cases where confirmed patients escape hospitals without permission, do not wear masks, and spread infections."

He also said, "Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop shares the same view and immediate action is expected."

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