‘Free Citizens’ Solidarity for Restoration of Worship’ (Ye Ja-eon) held a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 17th and claimed that the government’s corona prevention guidelines violated the freedom of religion specified in the Constitution.
The Free Citizens’ Solidarity for Worship Restoration is holding a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 17th.
On this day, Yejaeng said, “There was almost no infection through face-to-face worship at the church,” said Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Control Headquarters. According to the fact that face-to-face worship itself is not an act with a high risk of infection if quarantine rules are followed, he pointed out that the government’s corona prevention measures against Korean churches were excessive.
Pastor Ha-bo Shim (Eunpyeong Jeil Church), a member of the Yejayon Executive Committee, said, “Most churches strictly follow the quarantine rules. As the government announced, the church is not the epicenter of the corona infection. Nevertheless, when an infected person accidentally comes out of the church, it is an atmosphere of reporting all year round.” Pastor Shim said, “Non-face-to-face worship actually means closing worship. “Isn’t it possible to do non-face-to-face worship at any time even if (the government) doesn’t say it?”
Attorney Ahn Chang-ho, who served as Constitutional Judge, argued that “the non-face-to-face order for the church, which is a guideline for government quarantine, is unconstitutional.”
Attorney Ahn Chang-ho, who served as the Constitutional Judge, also attended the press conference. He is also the legal representative of the’Constitutional Petition for Restoration of Worship’ filed by Ye Ja-eon. Attorney Ahn argued, “The church’s non-face-to-face worship order issued by the government is unconstitutional, and the 10-20% limit on worship services is unconstitutional.” Attorney Ahn said, “Freedom of worship is closely related to freedom of faith, which is an absolute right of freedom. When it comes to limiting this, we really have to carefully limit it, but the government has limited it so easily.” “We are not asking for privileges. It is a demand for fair and scientific quarantine guidelines in accordance with the constitution.”
Ahn took Germany as an example. He said that Germany was the most reference to the constitutional trial. “In Germany, administrative measures are very reasonable. However, Germany closed department stores, hypermarkets, restaurants and department stores as of last month. Restaurants can only deliver. In general, working from home is the principle. When working in the field, you must report it first.” “On the other hand, the church allows face-to-face worship as long as you wear a mask and keep a distance of 1.5m. That means that church worship is less related to corona infection.”
Regarding the point that church worship in the coronavirus is related to public welfare, Ahn said, “Religious freedom and freedom of worship can be restricted because public welfare is related. However, this limit should be kept to a minimum. Restrictions on basic rights of citizens should be the minimum necessary. The government’s quarantine guidelines are in violation of this.”
Head pastor Son Hyeon-bo of the Busan Seero Church was controversial, such as conducting face-to-face worship and closing the church against the government’s quarantine guidelines.
Pastor Sohn Hyun-bo of the Busan Seero Church, who was controversial due to the controversy over the government’s quarantine guidelines, carried out face-to-face worship and the church was shut down. ‘It is said to be seen. Because of this, the Korean church is suffering tremendous damage.”
Written and photo = Religious reporter Baek Seong-ho [email protected]