It was revealed that the Gwangju Antioch Church, where a group infection with a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), was in progress, is in a lawsuit against the city asking the city to withdraw the administrative order of in-person worship.
On the morning of the 31st, an official from the quarantine authorities examines the inside at Antioch Church in Seo-gu, Gwangju. The total number of confirmed cases of group infection in Antioch Church increased to 86. Yonhap News
According to law enforcement officials on the 31st, the Antioch Church, whose 86 people, including the congregation, were confirmed by the morning of the day, filed an administrative lawsuit against the city of Gwangju last November to cancel an administrative order prohibiting face-to-face worship.
The city filed an answer to the court on December 24 last year.
The trial date has not been set.
The city of Gwangju issued a collective ban order to religious institutions from August 27 last year to September 10 to prevent group infection.
At that time, measures to ban face-to-face worship at religious facilities were strengthened nationwide, with infected people continuing to Gwangju area at the Gwanghwamun assembly on August 15, Seoul.
The area around Antioch Church in Seo-gu, Gwangju on the morning of the 31st is busy. The total number of confirmed cases of group infection in Antioch Church increased to 86. yunhap news
However, the Antioch Church violated the guidelines and called for more than 100 congregations twice in August for face-to-face worship, and was accused by the city of Gwangju, and was briefly charged with a fine of 3 million won.
Antioch Church is said to have filed a lawsuit for suspension of execution against the Gwangju city’s measures, claiming that’an administrative order violates religious freedom if only non-face-to-face worship is allowed.’
Gwangju City is in a position that it cannot disclose details because it is an ongoing lawsuit.
Earlier on the 25th, the number of confirmed patients is increasing rapidly after one member was confirmed at Antioch Church.
Gwangju City issued an executive order banning face-to-face worship until the 10th of next month for all churches in Gwangju on the 30th as group infections initiated by churches continued after easing measures for in-person worship.
Reporter Shin Hyeyeon [email protected]