Beomtu Coalition Holds Worship at Sarang Jeil Church Despite 'Assembly Ban Order'... Police Clash (Comprehensive)

by Cho Seongpill

Published 29 Mar.2020 12:18(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters (Beomtu-bon) held a 'Sunday Joint Worship Service' on the morning of the 29th at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, despite a ban on gatherings. Beomtu-bon is led by Jeon Gwang-hoon (64, detained), pastor of the Christian Council of Korea (Han Ki-chong).

At the Sarang Jeil Church site, more than 110 employees from Seoul City and Seongbuk-gu Office and about 400 police officers were dispatched, but it was reported that they could not completely block access to the church.

According to Seoul City and the police, Sarang Jeil Church was administratively banned from holding gatherings until the 5th of next month by Seoul City for failing to comply with quarantine rules such as 'maintaining distance between worshippers' during the service on the 22nd of this month. Accordingly, worshippers violating this could be fined 3 million won per person.

Nevertheless, Beomtu-bon forcibly held an on-site worship service at this church. Starting around 9 a.m., worshippers began gathering one by one, eventually assembling in dozens. When police and others blocked access to the church, worshippers protested, saying they would file charges for "obstruction of worship." Some verbally abused the police, calling them "communists oppressing religion" and asking, "Did you come from North Korea?"

Around 9 a.m., a 5-ton truck carrying about 500 plastic chairs to be placed in a temporary worship area set up in the church parking lot arrived. Although blocked by police, the church side struggled for about 30 minutes and eventually moved the chairs by hand. One worshipper raised their voice, saying, "We measured our temperature and sanitized our hands before entering the church, so it's fine. The police and officials should keep their distance from each other."

A Seoul City Hall official said, "The city has already issued a ban on gatherings to Sarang Jeil Church, so today's worship is a clear violation," adding, "We will thoroughly document the incident and impose fines."