Christians, South Korea and the Cronia Virus

[Traveler]

South Korea is very Christian but it would seem that Christians meeting secretly are the major problem (about 2/3) of the current outbreak.  Perhaps @prisonchaplain may have some insights with his connections and involvements is South Korea beyond what limited information we have in the link:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-south-korea/south-koreas-coronavirus-cases-rise-to-6767-with-most-cases-traced-to-church-idUSKBN20U02M

Also - does anyone know of any missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints currently in South Korea that have any information concerning their status?

 

The Traveler

[prisonchaplain]

The problem in South Korea is with a religious sect called Schincheonji (New Heaven New Earth). The group is very secretive and engages in covert proselytizing by sending members to mainstream churches to recruit for their Bible studies. Their meetings are for members only. They had sent a group to Wuhan province China, which returned and began to unwittingly spread the virus among its members. When it was clear they had a problem a text was sent out to members telling them to visit other churches so that they would not be the only ones blamed (a former member showed the text s/he received).

LDS are very familiar with the tactics of "Antis." This movement has its share. Mainstream Christians are offended by their "sheep stealing" tactics. Former members say they were deceptively recruited and the the group is very controlling. Now, non-religious believe this group is the main cause of the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Korea, due to its secretive nature. So, take all this with a grain of salt. However, for sure, this is not a generic Christian problem. It is specific to this sect--a group largely rejected by mainstream churches.

[Jane_Doe]

1 hour ago, Traveler said:

Also - does anyone know of any missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints currently in South Korea that have any information concerning their status?

The Church as recalled all missionaries not native to S. Korea.