Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Investigates Alleged Obstruction of COVID-19 Testing at Sarang Jeil Church... Location Traced for 155 Rally Participants

Seoul Police Chief Jang Ha-yeon Written Meeting
Some Seized Search Materials Provided to Quarantine Authorities

Jang Ha-yeon, Chief of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police are conducting a focused investigation into the obstruction of quarantine measures by the Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred.

Jang Ha-yeon, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated in a written press briefing on the 31st, "We are analyzing the seized items obtained through search and seizure and conducting related investigations," adding, "We are verifying whether any church member lists were omitted and have also started investigating the delay in COVID-19 testing orders to confirm the connection with Sarang Jeil Church."

Commissioner Jang further explained, "On the 23rd, we received a request for cooperation in providing materials from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, and after legal interpretation by the Ministry of Justice, we provided the relevant materials deemed necessary for infectious disease quarantine activities on the 28th."

Investigations related to the August 15th Gwangbokjeol rally at Gwanghwamun are also ongoing. Despite the Seoul Metropolitan Government's order to ban the rally, the police requested the attendance of four organizers and key participants who forcibly held the illegal rally. For the three who did not appear within the first attendance deadline, a second attendance request was made on the 27th and 28th, and evidence collection and identification of those involved in illegal activities are continuing based on analysis of on-site video footage.

Additionally, the Seoul Police Agency received requests from quarantine authorities to confirm the whereabouts of visitors to the Gwanghwamun area during the rally and has confirmed the whereabouts of 155 out of 157 individuals. The remaining two are still being located. Commissioner Jang said, "The rapid response team will work to identify their whereabouts as quickly as possible to support quarantine activities."

Meanwhile, 19 police officers affiliated with the Seoul Police Agency have tested positive for COVID-19 this month. Among them, three have been discharged from the hospital, and 16 are currently receiving treatment.

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