"Apologies to the Public" Petition for Christian Apology Emerges Amid Church-Originated Cluster Infection Spread

Accumulated 623 Infections Related to Seoul Sarang Jeil Church

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid the continued spread of COVID-19 centered around large churches such as Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, led by senior pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, a Christian has drawn attention by posting an 'apology petition.'

On the 18th, a petition titled "I am sorry to the people. I am a Christian" was posted on the Blue House National Petition website. As of 4:30 PM on the 19th, the petition had received over 2,400 endorsements.

The petitioner, who identified themselves as a Christian, opened by saying, "As a citizen and as a Christian, I feel embarrassed, so I am writing this non-petition petition."

He apologized, saying, "Despite the efforts of the administrative authorities, I apologize as a Christian for everything that has happened this time. I do not want to make lame excuses. I feel responsible for everything that happened as a Christian."

He continued, "The church is sick now. Therefore, it has continuously shown disappointing behavior to the public in various parts of society. And this time is no different," pointing out that "religion originally seeks 'truth,' but in today's society, the function of religion seems to lie elsewhere."

He added, "This situation occurred because there is a lack of mature civic consciousness and autonomous church members," and said, "The authorities have shown Korea's high status in the world through COVID-19 prevention, but they failed to stop those who belittle all those efforts. The national dignity has been damaged."

Finally, the petitioner concluded, "Above all, the daily lives of citizens have been ruined. An incident has occurred that is difficult to reverse easily. I am sorry, and I am very sorry."

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), is seen leaving the Sarang Jeil Church parsonage in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 17th, moving to board a Seongbuk Public Health Center vehicle. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, according to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), as of 12 PM on the 19th, the total number of confirmed cases linked to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu reached 623.

Among the confirmed cases in the metropolitan area, there were 588 cases: 393 in Seoul, 160 in Gyeonggi, and 35 in Incheon. Outside the metropolitan area, 35 confirmed cases were reported. By region, there were 3 in Busan, 2 in Daegu, 2 in Daejeon, 5 in Gangwon, 1 in Chungbuk, 12 in Chungnam, 4 in Jeonbuk, 1 in Jeonnam, and 5 in Gyeongbuk.

Deputy Director Kwon Jun-wook of the CDCH expressed concern, saying, "There are rumors circulating that all Sarang Jeil Church members are being tested positive unconditionally, which is very worrisome," and stated, "The test results by the quarantine authorities cannot be manipulated, and no one can be discriminated against."

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