Lee Nak-yeon: "Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon's Behavior Crosses the Line... Strict Punishment Needed for Obstruction of Quarantine Measures"

Published 21 Aug.2020 09:48(KST)

Lee Nak-yeon, Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, urged, "Investigation authorities should firmly punish acts that obstruct quarantine measures to protect social safety."

On the 20th, Lee wrote on his Facebook, "The behavior of Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon and the Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred, has exceeded the limits of patience," expressing his stance.

Lee criticized, "They claim that 'the government is forcing unlimited testing to increase the number of confirmed cases,' and that 'the indiscriminate demands for submission of lists, testing, and quarantine are abuse of authority and illegal detention,'" adding, "They are blaming the quarantine authorities for the sharp increase in confirmed cases."

He continued, "The church members who attended the Gwanghwamun rallies or worship services refused testing, fled during transport, and escaped from hospitals," pointing out, "A couple confirmed positive in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, hugged and spat on the visiting public health center staff. The submitted list of church members included many unrelated individuals. It is difficult to see this as cooperation with quarantine efforts."

Furthermore, he said, "The president, prime minister, government, local governments, and police have repeatedly appealed for restraint and cooperation for public health and social safety. Nevertheless, they mock state authority and nullify the efforts of quarantine authorities working day and night to end COVID-19," adding, "They are taking away jobs, preventing children from attending school, and forcing restaurants, shops, and factories to close. Who will wipe away their tears? Who will compensate for these damages?"

He then stated, "We can no longer stand by," emphasizing, "It is no longer realistic to expect self-purification within this church. The patience of state authority is provoking greater public anger. Such behavior that causes enormous risk and loss to the entire community is an antisocial crime."

Earlier on the 20th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Seoul City, and Seongbuk District began a forced administrative investigation to secure an accurate list of Sarang Jeil Church members.

The police and quarantine authorities visited the church around 10 a.m. for epidemiological investigation, but church officials demanded a search warrant and refused entry to the epidemiological investigators, leading to a standoff.

Later, around 8 p.m., quarantine authorities succeeded in entering the church, but the building was locked, and they were unable to secure the list of church members.