Sarangjeil Church Claims "Worship Ban Is Unconstitutional" and Files Constitutional Complaint

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] On the 23rd, the Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul announced that it will file a constitutional complaint, claiming that the government's complete ban on in-person worship services violates the constitution.

Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, Sarang Jeil Church, and former Korean Constitutional Law Association President Kim Hak-seong held a press conference on the same day, stating, "The government's ban on worship services is an excessive exercise of public authority, an oppression of the church, and an unconstitutional measure that seriously infringes on constitutional fundamental rights such as freedom of religion."

They also argued that allowing in-person religious events with up to 19 people while excluding churches that previously violated quarantine rules "directly contradicts the Constitutional Court's decision that discrimination based on past offenses is not permissible."

Sarang Jeil Church had previously defied the ban on in-person worship services under the Level 4 social distancing measures on the 18th by holding an on-site worship service.

Last April, Sarang Jeil Church also violated Seoul City's assembly ban order by holding on-site worship services and is currently facing trial after being reported. In August of last year, a large-scale COVID-19 cluster infection involving hundreds of people occurred at the church, leading to a two-week closure of the facility.

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