"Violation of Religious Freedom... Busan Christian Council Opposes Forcing On-site Worship"

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Hee-eun Park] As Busan City issued an administrative order allowing only 'non-face-to-face worship' at churches under strengthened social distancing level 2 measures, the Busan Christian Council opposed this and decided to proceed with on-site worship services.

The Busan Christian Council (Bugichong) held an emergency meeting on the 22nd and sent an official letter containing the decision to hold on-site worship (face-to-face worship) and a call for the withdrawal of Busan City's administrative order to 16 district and county Christian councils and about 1,800 affiliated local churches in the Busan area.

Bugichong stated that they will hold on-site worship services while strictly adhering to the seven major quarantine rules presented by the government, and that Busan City's administrative order violates the freedom of religion and assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, so they plan to file a suspension of execution lawsuit.

Starting from midnight on the 21st, Busan City implemented strengthened social distancing level 2 measures, allowing only non-face-to-face worship for religious activities and banning face-to-face events and small gatherings, requesting active understanding and cooperation from the religious community.

Busan City especially urged churches to hold non-face-to-face worship this Sunday and plans to conduct on-site inspections jointly with the 16 districts and counties and the police.

A Busan City official said, "If on-site worship is held instead of non-face-to-face worship, strong measures such as a ban on gatherings will be taken," and urged, "We ask churches to actively cooperate with this unavoidable measure to protect citizens' health."

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