‘Epidemiological Investigation Noncompliance’ BTJ Yeolbang Center, Following Health Insurance, Government and Local Governments Also Review Claims for Compensation

Non-cooperation in Epidemiological Investigation After Large-scale Cluster Infection
Lawsuit Filed After Calculating Medical and Quarantine Costs for 576 Patients

Son Young-rae, Head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government has decided to explore ways to recover treatment and quarantine costs from the religious group BTJ Yeolbang Center, which has refused to cooperate with epidemiological investigations even after a COVID-19 cluster outbreak. Previously, the National Health Insurance Service announced plans to claim compensation for the costs it covered among medical expenses, and now both central and local governments intend to pursue similar measures.

On the 13th briefing, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated, "We believe there is room for both central and local governments to consider claiming compensation." The center is a facility operated by the Protestant missionary group Intercessory Missionary Society, and infections have spread nationwide centered on visitors, with 576 confirmed cases among visitors and their families so far. Authorities report that despite confirming the cluster infection, the group has not cooperated with epidemiological investigations and has provided false statements, hindering efforts to contain the spread.

Some local governments have issued administrative orders requiring visitors to undergo testing, taking a tough stance, but nearly 70% still refuse to comply. To prevent such issues, the government plans to make the group bear the costs related to patient occurrence and treatment. When infected with COVID-19, patients are isolated in separate facilities or hospitalized for treatment, and if the places they stayed are deemed at risk of contamination, disinfection measures are carried out, incurring certain costs. For medical expenses, health insurance subscribers typically have about 80% of the costs covered by the insurance service, with the remainder shared between central and local governments.

According to data released by the insurance service on the same day, the expected medical expenses for the 576 patients related to this facility amount to 3 billion KRW, of which 2.6 billion KRW is estimated to be covered by insurance, and the rest borne by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and local governments. After further investigations to verify legal violations, case-by-case reviews, and damage assessments, the government plans to recover funds through litigation. Previously, the insurance service has initiated compensation claims procedures against Sarang Jeil Church and Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

Son said, "Since local governments hold primary authority, we will continue to review whether to exercise compensation claims for medical expenses, testing costs for other contacts, and costs related to self-quarantine."

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