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