In South Korea, where COVID-19 clusters keep emerging despite aggressive measures, Protestant churches say they’re being singled out with “repressive” governmental measures. Starting July 10, any type of small group gatherings held inside Protestant church buildings—except for Sunday worship services—are banned. If needed, officials say, the ban also will be extended to Catholic churches and Buddhist temples.
This week, the Rev. Kim Tae-young, president of the United Christian Churches of Korea (UCCK), spoke out against the restriction, saying he “felt angry and humiliated while watching the government’s announcement.” Officials proceeded “without even trying to reach out to churches for communication,” he says, adding that he has “struggled to figure out why they did that.”
New Cases Have Been Traced to Church Gatherings
South Korean health authorities say contact tracing has pinpointed recent coronavirus outbreaks to small gatherings at churches, many of which began to meet again on May 31. That day, Pentecost, was proclaimed as Korean Church Worship Restoration Day, with the UCCK stating that congregations’ prevention efforts “gave us faith that everyone can return to their everyday lives.”
Last week, South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced that “all small church gatherings and catering, except for Sunday services, will be prohibited, and churches should run a mandatory entry log system.” Violations, he said, could result in fines for churches “as well as congregations.” Chung also urged all churches to “comply with key virus prevention guidelines in all events.” This includes not singing or praying loudly.
The “entry log system” is based on QR codes, which facilitates record keeping of all worship participants. The system also is being used in entertainment venues throughout the country because it makes contact tracing easier in case of outbreaks.
Along with other church leaders, the UCCK’s Rev. Kim recently met with the prime minister about the measures. Afterward, Kim cited progress and a promise of stronger communication by the government but said, “The dialogue…itself was not enough to make us feel better.”
The UCCK says “discriminative measures” against Protestants keep piling up. “Every Sunday, people get text messages urging them not to go to church,” it said in a statement. “This text is sent indiscriminately to everybody regardless of their religious affiliation. The government is interfering with Sunday worship, and this must be stopped.”
The group claims some local governments are offering monetary rewards to citizens who report safety violations by churches. Kim warns that the UCCK will “take the necessary legal measures” if officials continue to target Protestant churches.
Worshipers Remain Wary, Despite Safety Protocols
Most pastors in South Korea, where about 20 percent of the population is Christian, say they’ve taken steps to protect worshipers. Where in-person worship has resumed, attendance is limited, temperatures are taken, masks and disposable gloves are required, and additional services have been added. “It’s uncomfortable, but it’s necessary,” one megachurch representative says about all the protocols. About two-thirds of his congregants are sticking with online services for now, he adds.
Another Seoul-area megachurch is temporarily keeping out visitors until the pandemic eases. When members preregister online, they receive computer bar codes that allow them access to the church building for Sunday worship. Many people seem “cautious still,” says an administrator.
South Korea’s national health organization recommended switching to online worship this spring, and many Protestant churches suspended or downsized summer events after outbreak clusters appeared.
