Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Yoido Full Gospel Church adapts to coronavirus crisis
Only a few church officials wearing masks attended the Sunday service at Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, March 8. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
The main building of Yoido Full Gospel Church, which is usually jam-packed with worshippers every Sunday, was oddly quiet this week. When senior pastor Lee Young-hoon was preaching a sermon, only a handful of church officials were present ― wearing masks.
It was the second Sunday after the country's largest Protestant church ― with more than 500,000 members ― decided to suspend most services for two weeks to help contain the new coronavirus.
“It was an unprecedented decision in the church's 62-year history,” a church official told The Korea Times Monday. “Now senior officials are discussing whether it is necessary to extend the suspension.”
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the church started to take precautions early in February, urging the elderly to take advantage of online tools and installing hand sanitizers in key spots.
After a spike in cases across North Gyeongsang Province, including Daegu, the church sealed off all buildings and suspended services. Many other churches, including Young Nak Church and Choong Hyun Church, have followed suit.
“Jesus said in the Bible, 'For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.' It would be great if our members took this as an opportunity to contemplate on the meaning of that verse,” the official said.
The virus from the Chinese city of Wuhan has killed 51 people and infected more than 7,300 in Korea. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), most of the infections are linked to Shincheonji, a shadowy religious group.
As the KCDC scrambles to contain the virus, Shincheonji has been blamed for contributing to the spread, by failing to provide a full list of its members.
As the government struggles to secure medical facilities necessary for the increasing number of patients, Yoido Full Gospel Church has offered the government the use of its training facilities in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
The buildings, in a remote part of the city, can accommodate 800 people. After conveying the message to government officials early this month, the church was waiting for a response, the official said.
The decision comes after the church donated 1 billion won ($820,000) to support virus containment efforts and medical services in Daegu.
During his sermon on Sunday, pastor Lee told members to remember God is always with them even when they “walk through the darkest valley,” urging them to “fear less and pray more.”