'Quarantine Noncooperation' BTJ... Worse Than Shincheonji

27 Facilities and Groups in 9 Provinces See Surge in Related Cases
Only 33% Tested
Government Declares "Strict Response" as No Progress Made

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] On the 14th, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) remained in the 500s for the third consecutive day, indicating that the spread is not easily controlled. In particular, infections originating from religious groups are the biggest obstacle. The number of people exposed related to the BTJ Yeolhap Center, affiliated with the Protestant international missionary organization Intercessory Missionary Society (Intercop), has reached 3,013, raising concerns that it could escalate into a second Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji) incident.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), based on entry logs and epidemiological investigations, 3,013 people were confirmed to have visited the Yeolhap Center from November 27 to December 27 last year, of whom 662 (22%) were infected with COVID-19. Lee Sang-won, head of the CDCH epidemiological investigation analysis team, said, "We are judging this as a case similar to past incidents involving Shincheonji or Sarang Jeil Church." During the first wave, the total number of confirmed cases related to Shincheonji was 5,213, the largest cluster infection case in the country. In the second wave, 1,173 people related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu were confirmed, marking the second-largest cluster infection in religious facilities.

In the case of the BTJ Yeolhap Center, although the scale of confirmed cases has not yet reached that of Shincheonji or Sarang Jeil Church, health authorities expect the number of confirmed cases related to the Yeolhap Center to increase further. The infection has spread through 27 religious facilities and gatherings across 9 cities and provinces, increasing related confirmed cases. The authorities have strongly recommended testing through individual contact with visitors to the Yeolhap Center. However, only about 33% of visitors have undergone testing, and non-cooperative attitudes such as refusal of testing and epidemiological investigations are acting as obstacles to quarantine efforts. Some claim that visitors were brainwashed by sermons from the founder of the Intercop Missionary Society.

◆ "Due to the nature of the missionary organization, confirmed cases will increase" = With no progress in quarantine efforts, the government indicated a strict response. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun expressed concern at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex, saying, "Although most religious groups actively participate in quarantine efforts, the BTJ Yeolhap Center cluster infection is spreading nationwide, causing public anxiety." Regarding Intercop filing an administrative lawsuit against Sangju City after the government ordered the closure of the Yeolhap Center for violating quarantine rules, Prime Minister Chung raised his voice, saying, "They filed a lawsuit against local government administrative orders in a brazen manner, shocking the public." He urged, "Local governments should promptly identify those refusing testing with police cooperation and strictly take action against illegal activities. Please hold them fully accountable for public health damages caused by illegal acts, including claiming compensation." The National Health Insurance Service also decided the previous day to recover medical expenses or claim compensation from the Yeolhap Center and visitors who obstructed quarantine, such as refusing epidemiological investigations.

Experts emphasize the need to heighten vigilance in quarantine to prevent the Yeolhap Center from spreading into a second Shincheonji, as large-scale cluster infections related to religious facilities occurred during the first and second waves. They are concerned about latent infections spreading in the community. Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital said, "Currently, the CDCH has confirmed 662 cases related to the Yeolhap Center, but considering the nature of the missionary organization, the number of infected could reach Shincheonji levels." He added, "Hidden confirmed cases linked to some religious facilities may be roaming nationwide, potentially causing a significant increase in infections." Professor Lee also said, "Infections in churches across the country may be connected to the Yeolhap Center, so more thorough epidemiological investigations are necessary." He added, "It is important to quickly identify confirmed cases by offering incentives for expanded testing, such as allowing anonymous testing."

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