(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Coronavirus: infected health official leading South Korea’s fight against Covid-19 is member of Shincheonji Church of Jesus | South China Morning Post
Edition:
We use cookies to tailor your experience and present relevant ads. By clicking “Accept”, you agree that cookies can be placed per our Privacy Policy
ACCEPT
avatar image
Advertisement

Coronavirus: infected health official leading South Korea’s fight against Covid-19 is member of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

  • Official in charge of fight against the virus in western Daegu admits being member of controversial sect after testing positive; 50 coworkers quarantined
  • An infected police officer and a teacher have also identified themselves as members following diagnoses

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
A temporary quarantine room at a hospital in Daegu, South Korea. Photo: EPA

A senior health official at the forefront of South Korea’s fight against Covid-19 has tested positive for the coronavirus – and identified himself as a member of the religious group linked to hundreds of other cases.

The official, whose name has been kept from the public, is the head of the Infection Preventive Medicine Department in the western district of Daegu City, which is at the epicentre of the outbreak in South Korea.

Daegu, population 2.2 million, and its surrounding province of North Gyeongbuk, account for 681 of the 833 infections confirmed in the country as of Monday afternoon. More than 450 of those cases have already been identified as followers of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a group that mainstream churches see as a cult, and experts believe this number is likely to rise.

The official, who was in charge of the district’s fight against the virus, identified himself as belonging to the controversial Christian sect after he tested positive for the virus, said Daegu City Mayor Kwon Young-jin.

Consequently, 50 other health officials who worked with him have been quarantined at their homes as a precautionary measure.

Market workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant at a market in Daegu after a coronavirus outbreak in South Korea. Photo: AFP
Market workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant at a market in Daegu after a coronavirus outbreak in South Korea. Photo: AFP
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2-3x faster
1.1x
220 WPM
Slow
Normal
Fast
1.1x