Q&A on Shincheonji Church of Jesus Regarding the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)-1

Q&A on Shincheonji Church of Jesus

Regarding the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)-1

□ On donating 12 billion won

As a church that produced a high count of confirmed cases, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus feels a deep sense of responsibility on the tumultuous developments regarding COVID-19. And to help fight the COVID-19 crisis, the church had donated 12 billion Korean won (10 million US dollars) to Community Chest Korea towards on 5 March.

The funds for donation was not collected by congregation members but came from the church finance. As Chairman Man Hee Lee had stated during the press conference, the church will not spare any efforts in supporting human and capital resources.

However, 6 March, the Community Chest Korea requested to return the donated funds for the negative public sentiment against Shincheonji Church of Jesus put a burden on spending the church's donation. 

We convey our sincere regret and apologies to the Korean people. The church will commit to placing the donation so that it reaches where help is needed.

The church has also spent days focusing hard on finding a location appropriately equipped for a treatment center for patients with a mild case of COVID-19 in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do area. We will make all possible efforts to provide a facility and help relieve the strain on hospitals. We hope these efforts will allow hospitals to reopen more room for, and give patients in critical conditions and patients waiting for admitted treatment the much-needed care.

□ About the watch that the chairman, Man Hee Lee, wore to the 2 March press conference

The wristwatch that Chairman Man Hee Lee wore on 2 March was a gift he had been given in the past from one member of the church. It is a watch he usually wears and does not carry any political significance.

□ About claims that the chairman named the Saenuri Party

The Chairman did not create the name Saenuri Party, nor did he make such a statement.

※ Updates will keep coming. The flood of inquiry calls is hampering church administrative work at this time. We ask journalists to kindly send their inquiries via text message. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.