Shincheonji cult donates W12 billion to fight coronavirus

Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee bows in a show of apology over his followers' role in the spike in coronavirus infections in South Korea during his press conference on Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Shincheonji ― the biggest culprit behind the coronavirus epidemic in South Korea ― has donated 12 billion won ($10.1 million) to help in the nationwide fight against the virus.

The mysterious cult, led by the self-proclaimed messiah Lee Man-hee, 89, said Thursday the money had been delivered to Community Chest of Korea, a local charity, hoping it will be used to help contain the spread of coronavirus in Daegu and surrounding North Gyeongsang Province.

The two regions are the epicenter of a spike in the nation's coronavirus infections ― the number of confirmed cases there account for nearly 90 percent of the total (5,766 as of noon Thursday).

The donation came three days after Lee made a public apology on Monday for his followers' role in spreading the disease ― nearly 60 percent of coronavirus patients are affiliated with the cult.

“We feel heavy responsibility for what's happening,” Shincheonji wrote in a text message sent to reporters. “As our leader said in the press conference (on Monday), we will spare no human or material resources to support the fight against the epidemic.”

Lee speaks to reporters on Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul