Apology Not Enough, South Korea To File Criminal Charges Against Shincheonji Church of Jesus Over Coronavirus Spread

Authorities in South Korea are likely to file criminal charges against 12 executives of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus holding them responsible for the rapid spread in the country of COVID-19, the illness that results from the coronavirus, France 24 reported

New cases in South Korea climbed by 516 as of today (Mar 4) morning, according to latest data made available by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This brings the total total confirmed cases to 5,328 with the death toll climbed to 32.

South Korea has registered the largest cluster of infections outside of China.

Founded in 1984 by Lee Man-hee, who claims that he is the second coming of Jesus, Shincheonji Church of Jesus has 12 branches in South Korea and over 200,000 followers. It has expanded overseas and set up a branch last year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. The Church is said to have invited Koreans from northeastern China to South Korea as part of their evangelical work.

Shincheonji, which means "new heaven and earth" in Korean, has been described as an apocalyptic Christian group. The followers believe that founder has donned the mantle of Jesus Christ and will take 144,000 people with him to heaven on the day of judgment.

Lee also teaches he is the only person who can interpret the Bible and promises to take 144,000 people to heaven with him on the Day of Judgement. Lee has called the coronavirus "an act of the devil who saw the rapid growth of Shincheonji and wants to destroy our advancement".

It is now emerged that many of the confirmed cases in South Korea can be traced back to one person: Patient no. 31, a 61-year-old woman who is a devout follower of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

Now dubbed as "crazy ajumma" (auntie in Korean) for twice refusing to get herself tested for coronavirus despite developing known infection, the devout Church follower is said to have attended church twice despite her condition worsening. The ‘super spreader’ later freely even though she was warded for 10 days in a hospital after a car accident.

According to the Korea Center for Disease Control, Shincheonji’s unorthodox worship practices is said to have contributed to the spread of the virus among its congregation. Members are expected to kneel in tight rows and aren’t allowed to cover their faces with items like glasses or face masks.

On March 2, Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, offered an apology for the spread of the virus. He got on his knees and bowed at a news conference.

"Although it was not intentional, many people have been infected," said the 88-year-old leader. "We put our utmost efforts, but were unable to prevent it all."