Overnight Standoff Over the List, Escape Attempt Foiled During Transfer Refusal... Repeated Quarantine Obstruction Incidents

Jeon Gwang-hoon, "Quarantine Security More Terrifying Than Martial Law... Resist Until the End"

On the 20th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, the alley leading to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul is being controlled. Photo by Mohonam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Acts of obstructing COVID-19 quarantine measures are erupting across the country. Among them, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who has received the most criticism, issued a statement on the 21st, declaring that "a quarantine public security regime more terrifying than martial law is being enforced," and expressed his intention to continue his uncooperative stance.

Overnight Standoff Over Securing Church Member List

The quarantine authorities began an on-site investigation to secure the member list of Sarang Jeil Church at 5 p.m. on the 20th. Earlier that day at 10 a.m., they visited the church but the church side refused to cooperate with the investigation, stating that "a lawyer must be present," and after negotiations, the investigation was carried out. However, the church refused entry to the epidemiological investigators and a standoff lasted for about three hours, with some quarantine officials only able to enter the church around 8 p.m. The quarantine officials left the church around 3:30 a.m. on the 21st but reportedly failed to secure the list.

During this process, the overnight standoff between the police and the church continued. Although this was an epidemiological investigation that did not require a search warrant, unverified claims such as "the police are attempting forced execution" spread online, and a man who criticized the government was arrested after refusing to stop causing a disturbance despite police warnings. Pastor Jeon, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing isolation treatment, raised anti-quarantine voices. In a statement issued through his lawyer while isolated in a medical institution, Pastor Jeon said, "The government is using the virus as an excuse to detain citizens resisting the regime in hospitals," and vowed to "resist until the end."

On the afternoon of the 20th, police and church officials, along with worshippers, are confronting each other during an epidemiological investigation by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where a large number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have occurred.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

"Don't Trust the Government" ? Escapes Following Positive Diagnoses Continue

In Daegu, a daycare center director who is a member of this church was ordered to self-quarantine on the 12th of this month but attended the Liberation Day rally and was eventually notified of a positive diagnosis. In Pohang, Gyeongbuk, a man in his 40s who tested positive fled despite family objections but was caught after four hours.

Also, on the 17th in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, a church member couple was caught by police while driving to a nearby hospital after testing positive, saying "I don't trust it." On the 18th, a man in his 50s who was receiving isolation treatment at Paju Hospital escaped but was arrested after 25 hours, and in Namyangju, a man in his 60s who tested positive was caught by police while trying to receive treatment at a large hospital in Seoul, also saying "I don't trust it." In Suwon, a confirmed case was revealed to have attended Sarang Jeil Church and the Liberation Day rally through mobile phone GPS tracking.

Refusal to Submit Bus Passenger Lists for Rally... "Concerns Over Worsening 'Corona Blue'"

It was also confirmed that 79 charter buses from all over the country transported about 3,000 people to Seoul for the Liberation Day rally. However, the organizers reportedly refused or disappeared in response to the quarantine authorities' request to submit the bus passenger lists. The quarantine authorities plan to refer these cases for investigation and take legal action.

Experts pointed out that such acts of obstructing quarantine activities could lead to intensified social conflicts and the spread of 'Corona Blue.' Professor Lim Myeong-ho of Dankook University's Department of Psychology said, "The people have barely endured, and now they have to start over from the beginning," adding, "There is concern that increased depression and anxiety could lead to burnout." The police plan to respond strictly, including immediately applying for arrest warrants for Sarang Jeil Church members who violated the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and other illegal acts.

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