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South Korea’s Christians losing faith amid coronavirus outbreaks linked to churches, pastors say
- Church-linked coronavirus infections have led the public image of churches to fall drastically in South Korea
- Christianity has become more unpopular over the years, due in part to church leaders getting into trouble and a view that the religion promotes old-school values, pastors say
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Fitness trainer Lee Sun-woo’s income has halved since his gym was forced to close in Seoul, where an outbreak of 1,000 church-linked coronavirus cases in the capital region has led to South Korea’s second wave of infections.
All public facilities in the capital region, home to half of South Korea’s 52 million people, will face restricted opening hours or remain shut indefinitely as daily cases reach about 300 to 400, nearing the numbers recorded in February when the Shincheonji Church of Jesus cult group became the epicentre of infections.
The virus’ resurgence, this time linked mainly to the Sarang Jeil Church, has led the public image of churches to plunge drastically in South Korea, where some Christian leaders have been observing a decline in the faith’s popularity for years.
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South Korea sees biggest coronavirus outbreak in five months with cases linked to church protest
South Korea sees biggest coronavirus outbreak in five months with cases linked to church protest
“The livelihoods of many people are in critical condition right now, [yet] there are people still attending church services like everything is normal,” said 36-year-old Lee. “Such people are close-minded and don’t care that they are hurting those around them.”
Sarang Jeil’s head pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon became the centre of public resentment when he and his followers joined an anti-government protest on August 15. Hundreds of his congregants had already tested positive for the virus and Jeon, a coronavirus denier, was himself confirmed with Covid-19 days after the rally.
The Seoul government and national health services have said they would sue the church for 15 billion won (US$12.6 million) in indemnity costs.
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