Why are South Korean churches a magnet for coronavirus and conspiracy theories?
- Backlash against pastor who claimed pocket card gave protection against the virus is latest pandemic related controversy to hit the country’s faith groups
- Outbreaks at churches have been prominent in each wave to hit South Korea, while pastors have promoted conspiracy theories and unconventional ‘cures’
“No one who possesses these cards has been infected by the virus and those who previously tested positive were cured fast,” he solemnly declares, before putting the card in his chest pocket and advising his listeners to “just keep it like this”.
The card emits “waves” that will “fend off and kill the Covid-19 virus”, he tells his applauding flock, who are all wearing masks and sitting in pews at socially distanced intervals.
It has sent shock waves through a country that was once seen as a model for its response to the pandemic but is now struggling to contain a third wave of infections.
Widespread criticism from the scientific community and media has prompted the church to rethink its plans to distribute the cards to its followers for free, but the incident has highlighted the ongoing role religious groups have played in the spread of the virus in South Korea, just as the country battles its largest wave of infections yet.
