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| Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon appears on a screen set up near Dongwha Duty Free Shop in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul on Aug. 15. The pastor of the Seoul-based Sarang Jeil Church delivered a speech at the crowded anti-government rally. Later he tested positive for the coronavirus. / Yonhap |
A blame game in full swing as virus spreads out of control
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Some Protestant church leaders have been simmering with anger as the Moon Jae-in government tries to hold the churches accountable for the sudden rise of COVID-19 patients starting Aug. 14.
They allege the government is ultimately responsible for the current wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as it eased social distancing rules hastily in July by encouraging the public to visit museums, watch baseball games in stadiums and explore crowded tourist hot spots in the name of revitalizing the economy.
But, they claim, government officials are demonizing and scapegoating the churches to save face at a time when infection cases show few signs of falling, an allegation the government denies.
The second wave of COVID-19 has pitted the government against Protestant churches. The two sides are locked in a blame game.
Facing a ban on public gatherings, the vast majority of churches have followed the guidelines for social distancing set out by the government and introduced online streaming services.
But some churches stood defiant. Hundreds of churches in Busan, Incheon and South Chungcheong Province pushed for physical Sunday worship services, despite local governments' repeated warnings of punitive measures for breaking ordinances.
Megachurches faithfully followed the social distancing rules and shifted to online services.
Yoido Full Gospel Church, one of the Seoul-based megachurches, said on Sunday that 23 of its church members have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, but all of them were infected outside the church. "Our church members have been very cooperative with the health authorities regarding social distancing rules and they took tests whenever they were requested to do so. So far, no infection cases that are related to physical church services have been reported," the church said.
The church, however, revealed discontent over the way the health authorities are dealing with the virus cases.
"When and if our church members are found to have been infected, the health authorities disclose their religious affiliation first and announce they attend our church, even though their infection was not associated with church services," an unnamed church member said in a media interview. "Our church suffers the consequences because it is viewed by the public as a breeding ground for the virus. Some of our church members go through unnecessary difficulties because of the government's way of briefing the public on the infection cases."
Like Yoido Full Gospel Church, resentment is brewing inside Protestant churches against the Moon government.
Infection cases have been surging since Aug. 14, a day before the massive anti-Moon protests in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. Right-wing groups hosted the rallies in collaboration with Sarang Jeil Church pastor Jun Kwang-hoon.
The crowded protest in the prominent urban space irked some ruling camp members, including President Moon. Politicians collectively pointed the finger at the Aug. 15 rallies as a milestone event that facilitated the second wave of COVID-19, blaming Protestant churches for the spread of the virus.
President Moon criticized the protesters, arguing the Aug. 15 rallies are a threat to public health. "What they did is unforgivable," he wrote on social media, Aug. 16.
Moon went on to say that tough measures were necessary to punish the protesters and the government would consider forcible measures if necessary. He said the rallies set back the nation's endeavors to overcome the virus.
Following his strong-worded, emotional reactions, the government took what some described as "draconian measures" to punish the protesters. With the help of telecommunications companies, the health authorities traced the rally protesters and sent the individuals smartphone notifications advising them to be tested for COVID-19. The government threatened legal action against those who do not comply.
Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk mocked the protesters. He wrote on social media "I thought Shincheonji was the worst… but there's another." Under his posting was a photo of Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon beaming while using his smartphone. Cho's tweet indicated the pastor of Sarang Jeil Church is more of a threat than the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a non-mainstream sect which was blamed for a massive number of infections that became the first wave of COVID-19 in Korea earlier this year.
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| President Moon Jae-in, third from left, and his wife first lady Kim Jung-sook, fourth from left, join a guided tour of the "New National Treasures of Korea 2017-2019" exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on July 30. The presidential couple's promotional visit signaled the government's easing of social distancing that had been in place since May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. / Korea Times file |
The way the government handled the protesters and its treatment of Protestant churches as breeding grounds for the virus have angered religious leaders.
Some church leaders revealed extremely uncomfortable feelings. Rev. Lim Young-mun, president of the Christian Council of Busan (BCC), criticized the Moon government for allegedly victimizing Protestant churches.
"All day long, we're hearing news demonizing pastor Jun and his Sarang Jeil Church as the culprits for the spread of the virus… I'm deeply concerned about such characterization because it would direct the public's anger at churches," he said in an interview. "I understand Rev. Jun only delivered a speech at the Aug. 15 rallies. But the government is conducting a witch hunt on the churches as if they are solely responsible for the soaring infection cases."
In an editorial on Monday, Christian Today criticized the government for the COVID-19 measures. "Without a sincere effort to find the root cause of the spread of the virus, the government is trying to scapegoat a certain person and a certain group to hold them responsible…. Doing so would only do a disservice as it facilitates a rift in the nation."
Some experts point their fingers at the government for its easing of social distancing rules in July.
President Moon and his wife visited the National Museum of Korea for the New National Treasures of Korea 2017-2019 exhibition on July 30. Starting July 22, the museum has been hosting the exhibit of cultural properties designated as treasures and national treasures.
The presidential couple's promotional visit signaled the easing of social distancing rules as it was depicted as an event to encourage the public to overcome their cabin fever by visiting museums and enjoying cultural activities.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism promoted tourism in early August by unveiling subsidized promotional discount coupons for hotels. Baseball fans were also allowed to watch Korea Baseball Organization League games at stadiums.
Infection cases surged abruptly from Aug. 14, just days after a series of government-led promotional events were introduced.
According to the World Health Organization, it takes five to six days for infected people to show symptoms. Some experts say it takes up to two weeks for symptoms to show.
Based on their views, it would be reasonable to conclude that the surge of infection cases from Aug. 14 is more related to events that occurred between July 30 and early August, rather than the Aug. 15 rallies in Gwanghwamun.
Of course, it cannot be denied that mass gatherings of any group play a great role in occurrences of new infection clusters.
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