Jeon Gwang-hoon Wins Consecutive Lawsuits Against National Health Insurance Service and Seoul City Over 'COVID Compensation'

The Seoul Metropolitan Government filed a lawsuit seeking approximately 4 billion KRW in damages against Seongbuk-gu Sarang Jeil Church and Senior Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon due to the spread of COVID-19, but lost in the first trial. Pastor Jeon has also secured a victory in a lawsuit filed by the National Health Insurance Service.

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of the 13th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 30 (Presiding Judge Jung Chan-woo) ruled in favor of the defendants, rejecting the Seoul Metropolitan Government's claim for 4.6239 billion KRW in damages against Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon in the first trial.

Previously, in August 2020, the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued an order banning gatherings on Liberation Day due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. However, some groups opposed this and filed for a suspension of enforcement in court, which was granted, and Sarang Jeil Church proceeded with the gathering based on this decision.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government filed the lawsuit in September 2020, stating that "Sarang Jeil Church and Pastor Jeon violated the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act by refusing and obstructing epidemiological investigations, leading to a resurgence of COVID-19 nationwide, including the metropolitan area."

The claimed damages of 4.62 billion KRW included 330 million KRW borne by Seoul for treatment costs of 641 confirmed cases, 660 million KRW for living support expenses for those in self-quarantine, 1.36 billion KRW for operating living treatment centers, 2.25 billion KRW in compensation for losses due to decreased bus usage, and 17 million KRW for the cost of comprehensive investigations.

In response, Pastor Jeon's side argued, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government must first clarify the causal relationship regarding who the church or Pastor Jeon infected and how the spread occurred."

Meanwhile, last month, Pastor Jeon also won the first trial in a subrogation claim lawsuit of 560 million KRW filed by the National Health Insurance Service. The Service sought reimbursement for the insurance burden of 287 patients out of 1,168 COVID-19 confirmed cases treated. However, the court stated, "It is excessively harsh to impose liability for damages beyond criminal penalties and fines on individuals or groups violating quarantine laws, even considering the purpose of preventing the spread of infectious diseases." Pastor Jeon and others have also been sued by Seoul Metro for damages amounting to over 3.3 billion KRW.

However, in the criminal trial, Pastor Jeon was found guilty. He was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation and fined 4.5 million KRW for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the Assembly and Demonstration Act related to the Liberation Day gathering. The court stated, "During a time when the entire nation’s activities were restricted due to COVID-19 and countless medical staff and public officials were making devoted efforts," and "considering the disregard for the national effort and sacrifice, the guilt is severe," the court pointed out.

On August 15, 2020, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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