The leader of the South Korean sect at the centre of the country’s coronavirus outbreak has today begged on his knees for forgiveness after authorities launched a bid to charge him with murder.
Self-proclaimed messiah Lee Man-hee offered a ‘sincere apology’ and admitted that ‘many people have been infected’ after an outbreak at the Shincheonji church.
The 88-year-old twice got down on his knees to bow before reporters in Gapyeong, his head to the floor, as he pleaded for the ‘forgiveness of the government’ today.
The secretive church is linked to more than half of South Korea’s virus cases and has been accused of failing to co-operate with authorities over the outbreak, prompting Seoul officials to press for charges.
Begging for forgiveness: Lee Man-hee, leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, bows during a press conference at a church building in Gapyeong today
Apology: Self-proclaimed messiah Lee Man-hee offered a ‘sincere apology’ and admitted that ‘many people have been infected’ after an outbreak at the church
‘I would like to offer my sincere apology to the people on behalf of the members,’ Lee said today, his voice breaking.
‘Although it was not intentional, many people have been infected,’ he said.
‘We put our utmost efforts but were unable to prevent it all. I seek the forgiveness of the people.
‘I am very thankful to the government for its efforts. I also seek the forgiveness of the government.’
Lee insisted that the group was ‘actively cooperating with the government’.
‘We will do our best and not spare human and material support,’ he added, pausing occasionally to wipe tears from his eyes as protesters shouted abuse.
The outbreak is believed to have begun after a 61-year-old woman developed a fever on February 10 but attended at least four church services in Daegu before being diagnosed.
More than half of South Korea’s 4,000 cases have been linked to the church and numbers are expected to rise further as 260,000 people associated with Shincheonji are tested for the virus.
The 88-year-old twice got down on his knees to bow before reporters in Gapyeong, his head to the floor, as he pleaded for the ‘forgiveness of the government’ today
Lee speaks to assembled reporters and camera crews at a press conference where he insisted that the group was ‘actively cooperating with the government’
People watch a TV broadcast in Seoul as Lee Man-hee begged on his knees for forgiveness after authorities launched a bid to charge him with murder
Many have blamed the church’s secretive nature and tightly packed conditions at services for the large number of cases linked to it.
Many members have not responded to health officials, acknowledged Shincheonji’s director of international missions Kim Shin-chang.
‘It is possible that our members are not completely forthcoming with the authorities on their movements out of fear their Shincheonji affiliation could be exposed,’ he said.
‘Social hatred and discrimination against our members is so pervasive that many fear losing their jobs or fuelling conflict among family members if their faith is revealed.’
According to reports, more than 1,000 people associated with Shincheonji have not answered survey calls.
‘We have urged our members to tell the authorities everything,’ said Kim – but he added that doing so was a ‘personal decision’.
South Korean police officers wearing face masks stand guard near the location where Lee Man-hee gave his press conference amid protests against him today
South Korea’s case numbers are expected to rise further as authorities carry out checks on more than 260,000 people associated Shincheonji
Seoul’s city government has asked prosecutors to press charges, including murder, against Lee and 11 other sect leaders for failing to co-operate.
The prosecutors’ office said it had received the complaint and was reviewing it.
South Korea’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 476 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, raising the total to 4,212 with 22 deaths.
Lee is revered by his followers as the ‘Promised Pastor’ who will take 144,000 people with him to heaven on the Day of Judgement, and his group is often condemned as a cult.
With more members than places available, followers say who will be chosen is ‘in the hands of God’.
In a message to his followers, Lee has called the outbreak the ‘work of the devil’ intended to ‘thwart the growth of Shincheonji’.
‘But we are the sons of God,’ he added. ‘We will triumph over this challenge.’