"Try Getting Infected Too"... Couple from Sarangjeil Church Hugged Public Health Center Staff

Published 15 Nov.2020 13:22(KST)

The police have requested an arrest warrant for a Sarang Jeil Church member who caused a disturbance by hugging and saying "You should catch it too" to a public health center worker encouraging COVID-19 testing. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] The police have requested an arrest warrant for a member of Sarang Jeil Church who caused a disturbance by hugging and saying "You should get infected too" to a public health center worker urging COVID-19 testing.

On the 15th, according to the police, the Pocheon Police Station in Gyeonggi Province applied for an arrest warrant for A (female in her 50s), who is suspected of violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act and obstructing official duties. Her husband, B, will be sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment without detention.

Earlier, A and her husband B, members of Sarang Jeil Church, attended a rally in Gwanghwamun on August 15 and were classified as close contacts but refused to comply with the recommendation to undergo COVID-19 testing.

On August 17, two female employees in their 40s from the Pocheon City Public Health Center visited the restaurant operated by the couple in Ildong-myeon, Pocheon City, to encourage testing, but the couple strongly resisted and caused a disturbance.

A even took off her mask and said, "You should get infected too. Since I touched you, you also need to get tested," and spat on the public health center vehicle. Her husband B, who was present at the scene, is suspected of obstructing quarantine by grabbing a public health center worker's arm.

During police investigation, the couple reportedly stated, "Business has been slow due to COVID-19, and when the public health center workers suddenly came and rumors spread, we might have to close down, so we momentarily lost our temper and acted that way."