[Exclusive] Daegu District Court Partially Grants Suspension of Execution for Closure of Sangju BTJ Yeolbang Center Facility... Limited to Residential and Educational Spaces

Daegu District Court Administrative Division 1, Partial Approval Decision on Second Hearing Day
BTJ Yeolbang Center "All Should Be Lifted After Incubation Period" Complains

Panoramic view of BTJ Yeolbang Center in Sangju-si, Gyeongbuk.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] The suspension of the closure order for the BTJ Yeolbang Center in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred, has been accepted.

The Administrative Division 1 of Daegu District Court (Chief Judge Park Man-ho) partially granted the provisional injunction filed by the Christian overseas missionary organization 'Intercop' against the mayor of Sangju City on the 26th, ordering the lifting of the closure order limited to the residential complex within the BTJ Yeolbang Center.

The court's decision was made the day after the second hearing, which was held privately via video conference on the 25th, following the first hearing on the 15th. Accordingly, the alternative school, rest area, and the 'Mission Village' residential space for missionaries inside the BTJ Yeolbang Center were opened to the public from that day.

However, the closure order remains in place for the office that serves as the support command center for overseas missionaries, which is expected to cause significant damage to the BTJ Yeolbang Center for some time.

Within the BTJ Yeolbang Center, a total of 18 households reside in a residential complex called 'Mission Village.' Approximately 30 children, including kindergarteners, elementary, and middle school students, attend nearby schools. Parents and students in this area have been left outside their homes for over 50 days.

Additionally, the alternative school inside the BTJ Yeolbang Center, which has 100 students, has faced uncertainty regarding its academic schedule since the entrance ceremony on the 15th, with criticism directed at the city education office for neglecting the situation.

Regarding the court's decision, a BTJ Yeolbang Center official expressed regret, stating, "If it is due to COVID-19 infection, the facility closure should have been fully lifted after 14 days (the virus incubation period), but it is still maintained. We cannot help but feel sorrow." The official also warned, "If the logistical support system (administrative and economic support) for about 1,000 missionaries is not provided, a serious situation may arise."

Meanwhile, as COVID-19 confirmed cases related to the BTJ Yeolbang Center occurred nationwide, Sangju City issued an administrative order banning gatherings on December 26 last year. Subsequently, on the 7th of the same month, an indefinite closure order was issued for the center until the COVID-19 situation calms down.

In response, Intercop filed a lawsuit on the 12th of last month at the Daegu District Court against the mayor of Sangju City to cancel the temporary facility closure and gathering ban administrative orders and applied for a suspension of execution. On the 4th, Intercop also submitted a request for a constitutional review to the Daegu District Court.

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