Jeon Gwang-hoon Holds Press Conference Immediately After Discharge: "Government Fraud Failed... I Will Risk My Life"

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who was treated for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and discharged, is holding a press conference on the 2nd in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was hospitalized after testing positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), held a press conference criticizing the government's failure in quarantine measures as his first schedule after being discharged on the 2nd.

On the morning of the same day, Pastor Jeon held a press conference in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, claiming, "The government tried to pin the entire 'Wuhan virus' on us and stage a fraud, but it failed thanks to the wise judgment of the people." Pastor Jeon was discharged from Seoul Medical Center after about two weeks of hospitalization that morning.

Dressed in a suit and wearing a mask, Pastor Jeon entered the press conference venue and opened his remarks by saying, "I apologize for causing much concern to you through me and our church."

He continued, "Over the past year, tens of millions gathered at Lee Seung-man Square demanding President Moon apologize for denying the founding of the nation in 1948 and for the low-level federal system, but there was no response. Instead, whenever there was an opportunity, they incited redevelopment to remove me and our church. This time, it was the 'Wuhan virus,'" he said.

Pastor Jeon stated, "I am not a politician or social activist but one of the prophets leading the Korean church. I will observe for a month, but if President Moon continues to deceive the people with national denial and false peaceful unification, I will risk my life starting a month from now. I am prepared to be a martyr," he asserted.

After public opinion worsened surrounding the church following the Liberation Day rally, Sarang Jeil Church held its first press conference under the name of the 815 Rally Participants' National Emergency Countermeasures Committee along with the church's legal team on the 17th of last month. Since then, they have held a total of eight consecutive press conferences up to this day, continuing their criticism of the government and quarantine authorities.

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who was treated for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and discharged, is holding a press conference on the 2nd in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

They have also launched full-scale lawsuits and complaints. On the 26th, Sarang Jeil Church filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office requesting an investigation into Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo, and Acting Mayor of Seoul Seo Jeong-hyeop on charges including abuse of power, coercion, and obstruction of worship. In addition, they have sued some media outlets that published articles related to them for defamation. The 815 Emergency Committee also announced at a press conference the day before that they would file complaints against Jeong Eun-kyeong, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Jang Ha-yeon, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and Park Gyu-seok, Chief of Jongno Police Station.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to soon claim compensation against Sarang Jeil Church. Park Yu-mi, Seoul's quarantine control officer, stated at a briefing the day before that they are reviewing the scope of responsibility and compensation amount for Sarang Jeil Church's violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. According to Seoul City, they plan to file a lawsuit early this month and will review whether to claim compensation from other institutions such as the National Health Insurance Service for costs incurred in treating confirmed cases and quarantine efforts. The National Health Insurance Service also announced that it would recover unjust profits or claim compensation for about 5.5 billion KRW it bore for medical expenses related to confirmed cases linked to Sarang Jeil Church. The police are also intensively investigating Sarang Jeil Church's obstruction of quarantine efforts.

Meanwhile, merchants around Sarang Jeil Church are preparing to file a lawsuit for damages against Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon and the church, claiming losses in business due to the church's non-cooperation with quarantine measures.

As of noon the previous day, the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases related to Sarang Jeil Church rose to 1,083. Among participants in the Gwanghwamun rally, 419 were confirmed positive.

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