Elder Who Hid Church Service Attendance in COVID-19 Epidemiological Investigation... Fine of 5 Million Won

Seoul Central District Court / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] An elder who concealed the fact that he attended a 'church worship service' during a COVID-19 epidemiological investigation was sentenced to a fine of 5 million won.

According to the legal community on the 13th, Judge Lee Donghee of the Criminal Division 2 at the Seoul Central District Court handed down this sentence on the 8th to Mr. A, who was tried on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

Mr. A, an elder of B Seongyo Church, was indicted for hiding the fact that he attended a worship service held at a dental clinic three days prior during the initial epidemiological investigation after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in July last year.

It was investigated that Mr. A deliberately omitted his movement path during the investigation because he was concerned that the dental clinic, operated by a pastor of the same church, would be suspended or closed.

The current Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act (Article 18, Paragraph 3) stipulates that no one shall refuse, obstruct, or evade epidemiological investigations without justifiable reasons, or intentionally omit or conceal facts.

The court found Mr. Kim guilty of the charges. The presiding judge stated, "Criminal punishment is inevitable for Mr. A, who gave false statements about his movements during the epidemiological investigation after being diagnosed with COVID-19."

However, the court explained the sentencing reasons by saying, "Considering that the defendant admitted to the crime and provided blood for vaccine development."

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