The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Wed, May 25, 2022 | 16:26
Letter to the Editor
Religious freedom and COVID-19 epidemic
Posted : 2020-03-05 16:34
Updated : 2020-03-05 16:34
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
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





 
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival
  • Attention needed to end modern-day slavery
  • Ex-Gyeryong mayor found dead after losing nomination in local elections
  • Labor union opposes resumption of late-night subway operations
  • [INTERVIEW] How brewery waste turned into pizza dough, energy bars at RE:harvest
  • Premier League Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min receives hero's welcome home
  • Mother charged with killing disabled daughter
  • Samsung to invest 450 trillion to cement lead in chip, bio sectors
  • Gov't to ease tax burden that increased during previous administration
  • [ANALYSIS] Internet-only K bank pressed to delay IPO plan
  • 'GOT7 has not disbanded' 'GOT7 has not disbanded'
  • Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms
  • Girl group NiziU to begin 1st Japanese tour Girl group NiziU to begin 1st Japanese tour
  • 'The Witch: Part 2' director still has more story to tell 'The Witch: Part 2' director still has more story to tell
  • Actor's short film 'Dark Yellow' nominated for Asia competition at Japan's film festival Actor's short film 'Dark Yellow' nominated for Asia competition at Japan's film festival
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group