10 Suspected Infected at Gwanghwamun Rally Without Church Visit... Authorities Expect More (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Regular Briefing
Authorities: "Infection Likely from Contact at Unrelated Sarang Jeil Church Gathering"
Attendees of Gyeongbokgung on 8th and Gwanghwamun on 15th Must Undergo Diagnostic Testing

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 Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, hosted by Sarangjeil Church and the Liberty Solidarity.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Although there is no connection with Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, it has been confirmed that 10 patients contracted the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) after attending a rally held around Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 15th. The quarantine authorities explained that, even though it was an outdoor rally, since a large crowd gathered and there was close contact, it is presumed that the infection occurred at the rally site. The authorities have requested that those who attended the rally undergo diagnostic testing.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 19th, 9 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 related to the rally, but not linked to Sarang Jeil Church, were identified following 1 case the previous day. In total, there are 10 cases: 2 each in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk, and Busan, and 1 each in Incheon and Chungnam.

The quarantine authorities are conducting epidemiological investigations, including basic and in-depth surveys, whenever confirmed cases emerge. The investigation results indicate that these cases are not directly related to the church, and the authorities presume the infections occurred after attending the rally. Since 10 cases were confirmed by noon that day, there is a high possibility that additional patients will emerge and that the number of infections linked to the rally will increase during the ongoing epidemiological investigations.

As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, exceeded 300, the alley leading to Sarang Jeil Church was blocked on the 18th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

As of noon that day, Sarang Jeil Church had a cumulative total of 623 confirmed cases, making it the second-largest cluster infection after the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu. Since there is a possibility that COVID-19 spread through small gatherings since late last month, additional cases are expected to emerge going forward.

At a briefing that day, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters, stated, "The concern about additional infection spread due to contact at rallies has become a reality," and added, "If you attended the rallies near Gyeongbokgung on the 8th or at Gwanghwamun on the 15th, regardless of symptoms, please visit the nearest screening clinic promptly for testing."

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