Seongbuk-gu Church Association Resolves to Actively Cooperate in Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

Seongbuk-gu and Seongbuk-gu Church Association Establish Cooperative Relationship to Prevent Local Spread of COVID-19...Only Online Worship Services from 0:00 on the 19th Following Government's Strengthened Social Distancing in the Capital Area

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Seungro Lee) and the Seongbuk-gu Church Association (President Sungwoon Gil, Seongbok Central Church) held an emergency meeting at 9 a.m. on the 19th and decided to suspend all face-to-face gatherings for the time being and conduct online (video) worship services to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which is causing cluster infections centered around some churches.

On this day, the Seongbuk-gu Church Association (executive members) met with Seongbuk-gu Mayor Seungro Lee and expressed regret and apology regarding the cluster infections occurring since the first confirmed case at Sarang Jeil Church on the 12th. They stated, “Seongbuk-gu has been making every effort in quarantine, including proactive safety measures and inspections to prevent COVID-19 infections. However, given the current cluster infections, a nationwide effort is urgently needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Therefore, the churches affiliated with the Seongbuk-gu Church Association have agreed to conduct online worship services for the time being and to suspend all small gatherings and meal provisions.”

Additionally, the Seongbuk-gu Church Association acknowledged the difficulties faced by small churches in the area and stated that they will seek practical ways to support these churches.

Furthermore, the Seongbuk-gu Church Association announced that if any church members have had contact with members of Sarang Jeil Church or have attended large gatherings where confirmed COVID-19 cases participated, they will actively guide them to voluntarily undergo COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine.

In February, the Seongbuk-gu Church Association had proactively decided to conduct online worship services to prevent the spread of COVID-19, donated 15 million won in support funds for low-income groups, and recently carried out neighborly love sharing campaigns such as supporting local businesses and visiting health centers, setting a good example in the religious community.

Sungwoon Gil, President of the Seongbuk-gu Church Association, also expressed his intention to “contribute to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and fully cooperate with Seongbuk-gu, which is making every effort to respond to COVID-19, including the quarantine authorities.”

In response, Seungro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “To overcome COVID-19 under social distancing level 2, it is important for all citizens to unite in cooperation and participation. I deeply appreciate the Seongbuk-gu Church Association for taking the lead in agreeing to conduct online worship services.” He added, “We will concentrate all administrative power of Seongbuk-gu to ensure that everyone can feel safe and that the day when we can return to normal daily life before the occurrence of COVID-19 comes as soon as possible.”

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