'Reconsidering Easing Social Distancing Due to IM Mission-Related Infection Spread... Self-Employed Express Frustration'

COVID-19 Resurgence Centered on Religious Facilities... Social Distancing Adjustments
Business Owners "Utterly Frustrated" Eggs Thrown at Religious Group Buildings
Experts Emphasize "Critical COVID-19 Control During Lunar New Year Holiday... Must Follow Prevention Guidelines"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As South Korea's third wave of COVID-19 shows signs of spreading due to a cluster infection originating from the IM Mission, the government, which was considering easing social distancing measures, has begun to reconsider. Self-employed business owners, who had hoped for a relaxation of distancing rules, are frustrated by the recurrence of cluster infection incidents.

Experts emphasized that the final critical phase of quarantine, including the Lunar New Year holiday, remains, and that vigilance must not be relaxed, including adherence to distancing measures.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 29th, as of midnight, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases was recorded at 469. This is 28 fewer than the previous day (497) and slightly down from 559 cases on the 26th, when the number was in the 500s.

The third wave of COVID-19 in South Korea, which began in mid-November last year, peaked on the 25th of last month (1,240 cases) and had been gradually declining, but recently reversed to an upward trend due to cluster infections originating from the IM Mission.

The daily number of new cases over the past week from the 23rd of this month were 431 → 392 → 437 → 349 → 559 → 497 → 469, respectively.

Looking at major infection cases, the cluster infection from the IM Mission is spreading throughout local communities. So far, a total of 355 people have tested positive at six unauthorized educational facilities operated by this mission.

Additionally, 45 people were infected related to a Taekwondo gym located in Andong City, Gyeongbuk Province, and 67 people were infected in connection with the Bugok Nursing Hospital in Busan.

The government initially planned to ease the current social distancing levels (2.5 in the metropolitan area, 2 in non-metropolitan areas) while extending the ban on private gatherings of five or more people, and was scheduled to issue guidelines on the 29th. However, due to the additional spread caused by the cluster infections, the announcement was postponed to the weekend.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 29th, "The number of confirmed cases, which had been decreasing until last weekend, has started to rise again this week. It is difficult to conclude that this is a temporary phenomenon caused by the large-scale cluster infection from the IM Mission, and some experts interpret it as a precursor to a new wave."

He added, "We will analyze the situation more closely and find the best measures considering the effectiveness of quarantine, the pain of people's livelihoods, and field acceptance."

The exterior wall of the TCS International School building in Unnam-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred, is covered with eggs thrown by citizens. Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, among self-employed business owners, voices of concern are emerging that they might once again be unable to operate due to strengthened quarantine regulations. The third wave was subsiding, and it was just the time to ease distancing measures, but with the recurrence of cluster infections, such hopes are at risk of being dashed.

Mr. Kim (50), who runs a cafe in Incheon, said, "It hasn't been long since we resumed in-store service, but hearing about the cluster infections made my heart sink. I had some hope thinking we could operate the store again, but now I feel utterly disheartened. I don't know when we might be forced to close again, and I can't make any plans for the future."

Earlier, the government lifted bans and operational restrictions on some multi-use facilities such as cafes and gyms starting from the 18th. Some self-employed business owners in cafes and gyms, which had been prohibited from in-store operations for nearly two months since the third wave, expressed relief.

However, with cluster infections occurring daily less than two weeks after these easing measures, self-employed business owners are expressing frustration, saying "We can no longer endure this."

On the 27th in Gwangju Metropolitan City, a citizen expressed strong anger by throwing eggs at the building of TCS International School, where a cluster infection of over 100 people recently occurred. TCS International School is confirmed to be an unauthorized educational facility related to the IM Mission, aimed at training missionaries.

The citizen who threw the eggs reportedly said, "All citizens are anxious, and small business owners are on the brink of death. Quarantine officials and ordinary citizens are doing their best under great difficulties, and I am angry at those who acted irresponsibly."

Cluster infections related to religious facilities have continued to occur in local communities this year as well, following last year's Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), and Sarang Jeil Church, including missionary training facilities such as the BTJ World Center, the IM Mission, and TCS International School.

Experts urged strict adherence to quarantine rules such as wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distancing, as there is a high risk of cluster infections spreading during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "The critical phase of quarantine, including the Lunar New Year holiday, still remains, and the situation is dangerous as confirmed cases are rapidly spreading in the community. The reason for the occurrence of confirmed cases is failure to follow quarantine rules. It is most important to comply with quarantine guidelines anytime and anywhere."

He added, "Blaming specific groups in relation to cluster infection incidents does not help quarantine efforts. In quarantine, it is essential to approach with scientific and rational standards above all."

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