Rev. Lee Man-hee, the founder of the Shincheonji religious sect, expressed remorse Monday that so many patients were tied to his church. If he apologized to the Korean people of his own free will, I respect his choice.
However, I fear and suspect that he did it under duress. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and other members of the governing Democratic Party of Korea have filed a complaint with the prosecution against Lee and other Shincheonji leaders "for murder, injury and violation of prevention and management of infectious diseases."
One of my professor colleagues sent a text, which I wholeheartedly agree: "This recent move to prosecute church leaders for murder seems outrageous. They may be guilty of violations of the infectious disease act or some other crimes related to negligence or withholding information. But going after them for murder is a political stunt and politicized crime. If I have a seasonal flu and go out into the world and someone catches it from me and dies ― am I now subject to a murder charge?"
From my understanding, a few members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus were simply doing what most other Korean churches and businesses do: visiting their branches in China, including in Wuhan.
Unfortunately, like many Wuhan residents, a few contracted the COVID-19 and, unknowingly, spread it to others. The greater fault lies in health authorities in Hebei Province and Beijing, which censored early information of the virus. A more open, transparent government response would have allowed Korean citizens and foreigners to protect themselves from infection.
In Korea, leaders of progressive parties are blaming an unpopular religious sect, and conservative party leaders blame Chinese people. We should stop playing the politicized blame game, focus on containing the epidemic, and ensure that the authorities, whether in China or elsewhere, do not repeat the mistake of censoring vital information.
Secondly, Beijing's repression of religious organizations and foreign missionaries has simply driven them underground. Seoul should not repeat the same mistake of persecuting religious followers and alienating them from our society. Respecting religious freedom is the liberal-principled and pragmatic approach to help patients and contain the epidemic.
Joseph Yi
Associate professor of political science
Hanyang University
Seoul
However, I fear and suspect that he did it under duress. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and other members of the governing Democratic Party of Korea have filed a complaint with the prosecution against Lee and other Shincheonji leaders "for murder, injury and violation of prevention and management of infectious diseases."
One of my professor colleagues sent a text, which I wholeheartedly agree: "This recent move to prosecute church leaders for murder seems outrageous. They may be guilty of violations of the infectious disease act or some other crimes related to negligence or withholding information. But going after them for murder is a political stunt and politicized crime. If I have a seasonal flu and go out into the world and someone catches it from me and dies ― am I now subject to a murder charge?"
From my understanding, a few members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus were simply doing what most other Korean churches and businesses do: visiting their branches in China, including in Wuhan.
Unfortunately, like many Wuhan residents, a few contracted the COVID-19 and, unknowingly, spread it to others. The greater fault lies in health authorities in Hebei Province and Beijing, which censored early information of the virus. A more open, transparent government response would have allowed Korean citizens and foreigners to protect themselves from infection.
In Korea, leaders of progressive parties are blaming an unpopular religious sect, and conservative party leaders blame Chinese people. We should stop playing the politicized blame game, focus on containing the epidemic, and ensure that the authorities, whether in China or elsewhere, do not repeat the mistake of censoring vital information.
Secondly, Beijing's repression of religious organizations and foreign missionaries has simply driven them underground. Seoul should not repeat the same mistake of persecuting religious followers and alienating them from our society. Respecting religious freedom is the liberal-principled and pragmatic approach to help patients and contain the epidemic.
Joseph Yi
Associate professor of political science
Hanyang University
Seoul
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