Regarding the First-trial Sentencing of the Executives of Shincheonji Headquarters
[Regarding the First-trial Sentencing of the Executives of Shincheonji Headquarters]
We welcome the court’s acquittal decision regarding the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
Through today’s ruling, every member of Shincheonji Church of Jesus who had been indicted with the charge of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act has been found innocent.
Regardless of the outcome of the trial, we—Shincheonji Church of Jesus—pledge to continue in our effort to eradicate COVID-19 and diligently strive to be the light and salt in society.
Lastly, we would like to express our regret is causing concern to the citizens of South Korea.
17 February 2021
Shincheonji Church of Jesus Headquarters
On 13th January 2021, Suwon District Court delivered their verdict on Shincheonji Church of Jesus' Chairman Man-Hee Lee for charges related to violation of COVID-19 Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act in the Republic of Korea. The verdict given was 'not guilty'. Chairman Lee apologetically bowed twice before the media and people of Korea. What follows is the verdict.
1. Verdict on Charge of Omitting Data When Submitting Status of Shincheonji Church's facilities: 'Not Guilty'
Korea's Central Disease Control Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the CDCH) did not request the personal information of Shincheonji Church members who tested positive or their places of occurrence, but for a list of all Shincheonji Church facilities and members, regardless of whether infected.
The request for the status of facilities and submission of a full list of congregants does not constitute an epidemiological investigation. Therefore, the charge for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act resulted in 'not guilty.'
- Verdict on Charge for Obstruction and Falsification of Government Investigations: 'Not Guilty'
As shown above, the request for submission of the status of Shincheonji Church facilities neither constitutes an epidemiological investigation nor falls within the scope of 'request to provide information' stated within Article 76-2 of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. According to official CDCH documentation, the types of facilities requested for submission, together with related deadlines, were not specified. Regardless, Shincheonji Church submitted data on three separate occasions to comply with the given request. Omission of data, therefore, cannot be considered as obstruction to official investigations. The resulting verdict was 'not guilty'.
2. Verdict on Charge of Omission in Submitting a List of Congregation Members: 'Not Guilty'
- *Obstruction and Falsification of Government Investigations: 'Not Guilty'
Public officials from the CDMH (Central Disaster Management Headquarters) and the CDCH also testified that Shincheonji Church "actively cooperated" with data submission and provided it as quickly as possible upon the request of health authorities.
Therefore, there is no evidence to acknowledge a violation of government investigations, so the given verdict was 'not guilty.'
(*includes misunderstandings, falsification or ignorance)
3. Verdict on Charge of Violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act on Epidemic Control Measures: 'Not Guilty'
Epidemic control measures of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act Article 47-1 is subject to "places where patients with an infectious disease are present" or "places deemed infected by the pathogen of an infectious disease." Yet there is no evidence that the sites met these equivalents. Therefore, the legality of closure measures taken cannot be acknowledged. As there was no violation of the Act, the resulting verdict was 'not guilty.'
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[Notice] Regarding the Trial of Shincheonji Daegu Church (3rd February 2021)
On 3 February, the Daegu District Court acquitted Shincheonji Daegu Church on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
Shincheonji Daegu Church respects the court’s decision and wishes to sincerely apologize and comfort the local residents who have been affected by COVID-19.
Although there was a large scale outbreak that lasted for a month and a half from 18 February 2020, there have been zero additional confirmed patients as of 2 April 2020 until today.
This was possible due to the close cooperation between the quarantine authorities, medical staff, and residents.
A total of 3,741 congregation members participated in three group blood plasma donations and learned that the only way to overcome COVID-19 is through inclusivity, love, and unity.
Regardless of the outcome of the trial, Shincheonji Daegu Church will continue to take responsibility in matters regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and promises to contribute to society and the eradication of COVID-19.
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Global Media Reports on Shincheonji Church's Blood Plasma Donations
Initial donation by 500 recovered Daegu congregants, July 2020 (video at the end)
Second donation by 1100 recovered Daegu congregants
Third donation by 4000 recovered Daegu congregants
From mid-2020, 231 reports published in 69 countries on intended 4000 donation
Shincheonji Church's official response to all allegations:-
“This is our earnest request: please stop the cursing and hatred towards Shincheonji. And we ask some media outlets that are slandering and suppressing Shincheonji using unconfirmed information and fake news to stop immediately.”
Official Statement by Shincheonji Church
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Further Global News Reports on Shincheonji Church (COVID-19)
Lies regarding the Coronavirus about Shincheonji 신천지 (03/03/2020)
Quarantine Official: "Confirmed case of COVID-19 in Daegu had existed before ‘patient 31’" (Daum News 22/03/2020)
Quarantine Official: "Confirmed case of COVID-19 in Daegu had existed before ‘patient 31’" (Naver 22/03/2020)
Shincheonji Church of Jesus in S. Korea Responds To What It Believes Are Erroneous Media Reports (Cision PR Newswire, 01/03/2020) ▶https://prn.to/3hDu3uo
"Shincheonji didn't lie about membership figures." (The Korea Herald 17/03/2020)
'Shincheonji members who survived COVID-19 volunteer en masse to aid vaccine development' (Religion News Service 26/06/2020)▶https://religionnews.com/2020/06/26/shincheonji-members-who-survived-covid-19-volunteer-en-masse-to-aid-vaccine-development/
South Korea church hit by COVID-19 says members to give plasma for research (Today Online 23/06/2020)▶https://bit.ly/3dxDTup
South Korea church hit by COVID-19 says members to give plasma for research (Jakarta Post 24/06/2020)▶https://bit.ly/2CBY5if
Official COVID-19 Response by Shincheonji Church of Jesus
•0307 Chairman Man Hee Lee asks "all congregants to fully cooperate for disease control" in a special announcement
•0302 Statement at Press Conference of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Regarding COVID-19
•0302 Regarding COVID-19 Testing of Chairman Lee, Man-hee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus
•0301 Letter of Appeal to Political Leaders
•0228 Letter of Appeal from Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Regards to COVID-19
•0226 Shincheonji Church of Jesus Provided a List of All Members to Public Health Authorities
•0223 Statement of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Regarding COVID-19
•0222 Over 1000 Shincheonji Church of Jesus Locations Disinfected and Closed Down in Korea
•0221 Shincheonji Church of Jesus Closed Down Its Churches and Affiliated Buildings from 18 Feb
•0220 Statement of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Regarding COVID-19 Countermeasures and Fake News
•0219 Statement of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Regarding the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
•0218 Notice on the Worship Service of Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Regards to COVID-19
COVID-19/Fact Checker: Q&A on Shincheonji Church of Jesus Regarding the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Personal Blog
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500 cured congregation members of Shincheonji Daegu Church Donate Blood Plasma
5 comments
The Korean government should stop suppressing human rights.
ReplyDeleteI know they're not sinners, they're corona victims.
It is hoped that their innocence will be revealed in other trials in the future.
I agree with the consequences of innocence!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's the right decision👍
If he turns out to be innocent like this, let him do not disturb him so he can be so inclusive, loving, united.
ReplyDeleteSo after all the turbulence on Shincheonji, it turned out that they are free from whatever blame they were accused of. Hope the victims’ rights would be well-protected ay least from now on.
ReplyDeleteSeeing that he was found acquitted in court, it seems there was a misunderstanding. Nevertheless, donating plasma is great.
ReplyDelete