Discharged Jeon Gwang-hoon, Joo Ok-soon, and Shin Hye-sik's Brazen Attitude... Citizens Outraged: "Enough with the Nuisance"

Jeon Gwang-hoon Spreads Fake News and Conspiracy Theories Immediately After Discharge
Joo Ok-soon and Shin Hye-sik Also Criticize Government on Broadcasts After Discharge
Citizens Express Outrage: "Undermining People's Efforts with No Sign of Reflection"
President Moon: "Illegal Acts Will Not Be Overlooked"

Jeon Gwang-hoon, the senior pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, who was treated for the novel coronavirus infection and discharged, is holding a press conference in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the head pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 after attending the Gwanghwamun rally on the 15th of last month, has been making outrageous remarks such as demanding an apology from President Moon Jae-in and calling the government's quarantine measures a "fraud" even after being discharged from the hospital.

Other conservative YouTubers who were also diagnosed with COVID-19 after attending the rally resumed their broadcasts after discharge and continued their incitement. Amid severe social and economic damage, including the elevation of social distancing to level 2.5 due to the spread of cluster infections related to the Gwanghwamun rally and Sarang Jeil Church, citizens' fatigue is reaching its peak as confusing remarks about COVID-19 quarantine measures continue to emerge.

President Moon has previously warned that strict legal action could be taken against illegal acts that do not comply with COVID-19 quarantine measures.

Pastor Jeon, who was hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19, held a press conference immediately after being discharged on the 2nd and continued to criticize the government and quarantine authorities. Pastor Jeon claimed that "they tried to pin the entire 'Wuhan virus' on us (the church) to stage a fraud, but failed thanks to the wise judgment of the people," asserting that the government is shifting the responsibility for the cluster infections onto him and the church.

He also raised conspiracy theories, saying, "The pro-Ju-sa-pa faction and President Moon Jae-in are denying the nation and inciting the dismantling of the Republic of Korea through a lower-level federal system." He threatened President Moon, saying, "I will give you a month to apologize. If not, I will truly risk my life. I am prepared to be a martyr."

On the morning of the 8th of last month, Joo Ok-soon, the representative of the Mom Corps, is speaking at the 5th Press Conference for the Restoration of Korea-Japan Relations held in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Conservative YouTubers who tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the Gwanghwamun rally also resumed broadcasting after discharge and poured out criticism toward the government and quarantine authorities.

Joo Ok-soon, head of the "Mom's Army," who was discharged on the 27th of last month, said on her YouTube channel "Joo Ok-soon TV Mom's Broadcast" on the 1st, "The Moon Jae-in government conducts separate tests only on people from the Gwanghwamun rally and Sarang Jeil Church. It is a scheme to kill one group," raising conspiracy theories.

Shin Hye-sik, head of the YouTube channel "God's Hand," also resumed broadcasting after being discharged on the 28th and claimed on his YouTube broadcast, "K-quarantine has been revealed as a fraudulent quarantine. It is a complete fraud."

Even while receiving COVID-19 treatment in the hospital, they conducted "bed broadcasts," spreading false information that hindered quarantine efforts, such as "I tested positive but have no symptoms" and "It is hard to distinguish early COVID-19 symptoms from a cold."

Despite the serious situation with over 1,000 confirmed cases centered around the Gwanghwamun rally and Sarang Jeil Church, citizens' anger is growing as Pastor Jeon and some conservative YouTubers continue to interfere with quarantine efforts.

Citizens demanded strong punishment for them, saying, "They led the rally that spread COVID-19, and instead of reflecting on their mistakes, they are making outrageous remarks as soon as they come out," "They are the ones who nullified the efforts of the entire nation through the cluster infections at the rally, yet show no sign of remorse," and "It is a waste of taxpayers' money to treat them. They must be held strictly accountable through claims for damages."

On the afternoon of the 15th of last month, a rally condemning the Moon Jae-in administration was held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, hosted by Sarangjeil Church and the Liberty Solidarity./Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, a civic group filed complaints with the police against Pastor Jeon, Ms. Joo, and Mr. Shin. The Patriotic Citizens' Movement Coalition announced on the 27th that it filed complaints against Pastor Jeon for violating the Basic Safety Management Act and the Assembly and Demonstration Act, and against Ms. Joo and Mr. Shin for spreading false information and obstructing official duties.

Oh Cheon-do, representative of the Patriotic Citizens' Movement Coalition, held a press conference before submitting the complaints and said, "We want to file the first complaint against Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, the main culprit who spread COVID-19 by holding the Gwanghwamun rally, and YouTubers Joo Ok-soon and Shin Hye-sik," adding, "Acts of treason should not be called patriotism, and such people must be isolated from Korean society."

He continued, "They show no sign of remorse while receiving treatment with taxpayers' money. The government should claim damages from them and must not treat them with public funds," demanding strict punishment.

Meanwhile, President Moon stated that noncompliance with COVID-19 quarantine measures is an "antisocial crime" and vowed to strictly enforce public authority.

At a senior secretaries meeting at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 24th of last month, President Moon said, "Acts that challenge the national quarantine system and blatantly obstruct or refuse cooperation with quarantine measures have become hotbeds for the spread of COVID-19," criticizing, "Malicious and organized obstruction of quarantine and the spread of fake news are antisocial crimes that harm the community."

He added, "We will not tolerate illegal acts that threaten the lives and safety of the people," and said, "The government will firmly establish the strictness of public authority as a means to protect the safety of the people and public order."

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