Jeonbuk Church 'Healing and Spiritual Gifts Gathering'... Instead of Curing Illnesses, It Spread Them Further

Worshippers singing hymns during the service. (Photo unrelated to the article content) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] It has been confirmed that a so-called 'healing and spiritual gift gathering' was held at a church in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred.

A 'healing and spiritual gift gathering' is a type of religious meeting where believers gather to heal illnesses through religious power. Generally, loud chanting of religious incantations is common, and there is frequent physical contact. This increases the risk of droplet transmission and the spread of infectious diseases.

Today (the 3rd), the Jeollabuk-do health authorities announced that such a gathering was held at a church in Jeonju on the 25th and 26th of last month. More than 30 believers gathered in a small space where usually about 10 people attend worship.

Moreover, it is known that not only believers residing in the area but also pastors and believers from other regions, including Seoul, attended this gathering, raising concerns. It was also revealed that believers from Jeollabuk-do attended similar religious gatherings in other regions.

Additionally, it was found that quarantine rules were not properly followed during the gathering. Attendees did not properly wear masks or observe social distancing rules, and no attendance list was created.

As they reportedly showed uncooperative attitudes during the epidemiological investigation by health authorities, anxiety about the spread of community infection is growing within the region.

Meanwhile, in Jeollabuk-do, 29 new confirmed cases were added over two days, including 17 infections related to religious gatherings. A Jeollabuk-do health official stated, "We are encouraging testing for gathering attendees not only in Jeollabuk-do but across the country. We will strive to secure the attendance lists through cooperation with the central government and local governments."

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