Tensions escalate between gov't, Sarang Jeil Church over COVID-19

Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church gives a public statement at a press conference held in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, northeastern Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

By Lee Hyo-jin

Tensions are escalating between the government and Sarang Jeil Church over a COVID-19 outbreak linked to the controversial church, as the state-run health insurance operator vows to seek reimbursement from the church for coronavirus treatment costs.

Quarantine authorities claim pastor Jun Kwang-hoon and his followers have been obstructing the government's anti-infection efforts by refusing to submit a list of church members and lying about their whereabouts.

On Wednesday, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) announced its intention to seek COVID-19 treatment costs of church members to be covered by Sarang Jeil Church. It plans to demand about 5.5 billion won ($4.6 million) spent to treat 1,035 church-related patients.

The average coronavirus treatment cost per patient is 6.32 million won, and the NHIS covers 5.34 million won of the total.

“We will soon take legal procedures after specific legal violations are confirmed through police investigation,” an NHIS official said.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government also said Tuesday that it will file a lawsuit against church members who violated quarantine measures and obstructed epidemiological investigations.

More than 140 microbusiness owners near Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, northeastern Seoul, are also set to file a class-action suit against the church. Since the church has risen as a virus hotbed in mid-August, the number of customers have plummeted in the area, causing significant economic damage to neighborhood eateries and cafes.

Korea is seeing a surge in virus cases following a massive anti-government rally held on Aug. 15 in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. It was organized by Sarang Jeil Church's populist conservative pastor Jun. More than 20,000 people including church members participated in the rally.

However, the church has been refusing to take any responsibility, claiming to be a “scapegoat” of the government's failed quarantine measures.

Jun claimed that the government had attempted to incriminate his church using the term “Wuhan virus” at a press conference held on Wednesday morning. He held the press conference as soon as he was discharged from the hospital after receiving 16 days of coronavirus treatment.

“If President Moon keeps deceiving the citizens with his lies, I am determined to do everything, even risking my life,” Jun said, urging the President to give a public apology.

Jun, along with Sarang Jeil Church members, has been insisting that the government is wielding its power to suppress them for their anti-government actions.

They vowed recently to file a complaint against several government officials including Jeong Eun-kyung, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).