"Please Protestant Churches, Just Stay Quiet" Church Cluster Infection Sparks Public Outrage

Protestant Group Faces COVID-19 Cluster Infection
Social Criticism Grows Against Entire Protestant Community
Some Churches Ignore Quarantine Rules, Dance and Hold Birthday Parties
Civilians Say "How Many Times Is This? Just Stay Quiet" in Frustration

Confirmed case from Gwangju TCS International School moving to treatment facility
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Are there confirmed cases again from Protestant churches?," "I can't live because of Protestants, not because of COVID-19."

As COVID-19 spreads mainly through churches and Protestant communities, criticism against Protestantism is intensifying. While anyone can be infected, some Protestant groups have been completely ignoring quarantine rules during religious activities, leading to harsh criticism for not adhering to even the minimum preventive measures. As a result, in this difficult time for all citizens, there is an outburst of frustration, saying, "Is it only Protestants who seem to be living in a different country?"

Since the spread of COVID-19, confirmed cases have continuously emerged mainly from Protestant groups. The previously slowing number of confirmed cases exploded due to the spread originating from Protestant churches.

In the past, religious facilities such as Sarang Jeil Church, BTJ World Center, and IM Missionary Society have shaken the efforts of quarantine authorities entirely.

As of midnight on the 28th, the number of confirmed cases related to IM Missionary Society's Daejeon IEM International School and missionary training courses increased to 176, and confirmed cases related to two Gwangju TSC International Schools and churches totaled 147.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Tracking their whereabouts is also problematic. According to Seoul City on the same day, the COVID-19 test results announced on the IM Missionary Society's website the previous day showed 12 positives and 1 pending related to the 'Gangseo Handayeon Laboratory in Seoul,' but it was confirmed that these individuals were not actually active in Seoul.

Seoul City explained in an online briefing, "'Gangseo Handayeon Laboratory' has not been operating since November last year." It added, "The 13 related personnel have been active at the TCS International School inside Hanmaeum Church in Gwangju Metropolitan City for two months and are the same as the cluster infection cases at the Gwangju TCS International School. The IM Missionary Society posted the location based on affiliation, not the actual place of occurrence, on their website."

However, all of them were confirmed negative. The city stated that after testing 40 students and teachers at two IM Missionary Society-related educational facilities in the jurisdiction, all were found negative.

Violations of quarantine rules also came under scrutiny. At a TCS International School in Chungnam, it was confirmed that about 30 students held a birthday party, singing and dancing without wearing masks, prompting quarantine authorities to launch an investigation.

On August 15 last year, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, followers of Sarang Jeil Church, where Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon serves as the head pastor, also caused social controversy by attending the 'Liberation Day rally' en masse on August 15 last year. The rally, where 'social distancing' was not observed, created a situation where additional confirmed cases could emerge anytime and anywhere, increasing citizens' anxiety and anger.

Given this situation, various critical voices against Protestantism are pouring out. Mr. Kim, a company employee in his 40s, said, "First, I want to say that I am not criticizing the Protestant religion itself," but added, "Putting that aside, with so many confirmed COVID-19 cases, the lack of any apology or responsible action is infuriating."

Another company employee in his 30s, Mr. Park, raised his voice, saying, "I think the act of endangering others' safety is extremely selfish," and "Every time we think it's calming down, a COVID-19 outbreak originating from Protestants occurs, which is very unsettling." He criticized, "Just when it seemed COVID-19 was settling down, it looks like it will spread again."

Meanwhile, according to Gwangju City on the 28th, mass testing of 159 teachers and students (including related personnel) at four IM Missionary Society-related facilities in the Gwangju area (TCS International School, Ace TCS International School, Tikun TCS International School, Antioch Trinity CAS) has been completed. Among them, 128 people, or 80%, tested positive.

All 30 teachers were confirmed positive, and most of the remaining students and related personnel also tested positive. Especially, teachers actively involved in church and daycare activities were all confirmed positive, raising concerns about regional transmission.

At the boarding facility TCS International School, 109 out of 135 people were infected in a cluster. All 25 teachers and 77 out of 97 students were confirmed positive.

At Ace TCS International School (15 confirmed cases), all 5 teachers and 10 out of 12 students were infected. At the non-boarding Tikun TCS International School, all 4 students tested positive. One boarding facility completed mass testing, with all 61 people testing negative. Testing is ongoing at the remaining five non-boarding facilities.

The city issued an administrative order requiring all unauthorized educational facilities with five or more people and all boarding facilities with five or more people to voluntarily report and undergo testing. A Gwangju city official emphasized, "We will cooperate with autonomous districts, the education office, and the police to conduct thorough investigations and testing of unauthorized facilities to ensure there are no blind spots in quarantine."

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