'Cluster Infection' Gwangju Andiok Church Pastor Hospitalized 5 Days After Testing Positive

On the 31st of last month, a quarantine official is inspecting the interior of Antioch Church in Seo-gu, Gwangju. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The pastor of Gwangju Antioch Church has drawn criticism for failing to cooperate with treatment for more than five days despite testing positive for COVID-19.

According to Gwangju City on the 3rd, Pastor A of the church, who tested positive on the 29th of last month, was transferred to a medical center in Jeonnam on the same day.

Authorities reportedly attempted to contact the confirmed patient multiple times to arrange the transfer, but Pastor A did not answer, preventing the hospital transfer.

Later, authorities learned that Pastor A was communicating with a church elder and arranged for him to receive hospital treatment through the elder.

Previously, the pastor sparked controversy in a sermon last July by saying, "Pastors were so scared of COVID-19 that they locked the church doors," and "If you catch COVID-19, you go to heaven, so what's there to be afraid of?"

In particular, the church was also reported for violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act by holding in-person services during the ban on worship services last year.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases related to Antioch Church, including secondary infections, has reached 120 as of 2 p.m. today.

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