"‘Acts of External Troublemakers’ Jeon Gwang-hoon Again Claims 'Virus Terrorism Theory'"

"Church Has Responded Well to COVID-19... Terror Incident"
Lawyer Kang Yeon-jae "Seoul City and Quarantine Authorities Illegally Entered Church... Will Hold Them Accountable"

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 and boarding a vehicle from the Seongbuk Public Health Center. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the head pastor of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred, has been repeatedly claiming a theory of 'external virus terrorism.'

On the 21st, Pastor Jeon released a statement on his YouTube channel 'NeoAra TV,' saying, "Just before the mass virus infection incident at Sarang Jeil Church, I received reports from about five informants that 'virus terrorism is sneaking into the church.'" He added, "When I heard the reports, I thought, 'No matter how evil communists or pro-North Korean factions are, could they really do such a thing?' so I did not pay much attention. But when this incident actually happened, I realized it was a terrorist act by external malicious elements."

He continued, "Since the beginning of this year, after the outbreak of COVID-19, Sarang Jeil Church has been thoroughly following quarantine rules such as hand washing, temperature checks before gatherings, and wearing masks, responding proactively," and said, "I have been pondering why such an incident occurred at Sarang Jeil Church."

Pastor Jeon also denied allegations that he violated self-quarantine rules or that the church did not cooperate with health authorities.

He explained, "On the 15th, I gave a speech for about five minutes around 3 p.m. at Gwanghwamun, but the self-quarantine notification was received at 6 p.m.," and added, "Sarang Jeil Church has cooperated so well that even the health center was impressed, submitting lists going back 10 years."

On the morning of the 21st, at a press conference denouncing the fake quarantine martial law of the Moon Jae-in administration held in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, lawyer Kang Yeon-jae, the attorney of Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, is speaking. / Photo by Yonhap News

At a press conference held in front of Sarang Jeil Church that day, Pastor Jeon's side also announced legal action against the on-site investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and health authorities.

Pastor Jeon's lawyer, Attorney Kang Yeon-jae, read out Pastor Jeon's statement and said, "We received a letter of request for epidemiological investigation cooperation from the Seoul Metropolitan Government on-site, but we were not subject to the epidemiological investigation. However, the Seoul Metropolitan Government insisted on the need to suppress the church recklessly, and the police tried to enter by pulling out innocent citizens."

He continued, "We will file a complaint against the Seoul city officials who commanded the scene and Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop for violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes including Violence, and we will also hold them criminally responsible for illegal occupation of the church and infringement of private property."

Meanwhile, Pastor Jeon had previously claimed a 'virus terrorism conspiracy theory' on the 15th. On that day, he participated in the 'August 15 Liberation Day Anti-Moon Jae-in Government Rally' held at Gwanghwamun and said on stage, "They poured virus germs into our church to prevent me from coming here today."

At the same event, Pastor Jeon also said, "The district office came to our church and notified me that I was designated as a quarantine subject," adding, "I am perfectly fine and have no fever," which raised suspicions that he violated self-quarantine rules.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases related to Sarang Jeil Church reached 739 as of the 21st, an increase of 63 from the previous day (20th). The number of new domestic confirmed cases was 324, marking eight consecutive days of triple-digit figures since the 14th.

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