Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Coronavirus

South Korean prosecutors question church leader accused of hampering coronavirus recovery

Over 5,200 cases of the virus were linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus

By Vandana Rambaran Fox News
Published
close
Fox News Flash top headlines for July 17 Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for July 17

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The chairman of a South Korean church linked to a large cluster of the country's coronavirus cases was questioned for hours on Friday as officials probed whether the religious group flouted COVID-19 rules to hold services.

Lee Man-hee, a leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, bows during the press conference in Gapyeong, South Korea, on March 2, 2020. (Kim Ju-sung/Yonhap via AP)

LATE SEOUL MAYOR SAID HE FELT 'SORRY TO ALL PEOPLE' IN APOLOGETIC WILL LEFT BEHIND

After four hours of questioning, Lee Man-hee, the 88-year-old chairman of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, asked prosecutors if he could be excused from the day's proceedings, after complaining of health issues.

Lee left and questions halted for the day, but attorneys from the district prosecutors' office in Suwon, south of Seoul, said they will follow up with Lee for further questioning.

Three senior members of the church were arrested last week after authorities said they attempted to cover up the extent of church attendance when asked by health officials to avoid coronavirus restrictions. Over 5,200 cases of the virus were linked to the Shincheonji church between February and March.

TEXAS, ARIZONA BRING IN REFRIGERATED TRUCKS TO STORE HUNDREDS OF BODIES AFTER CORONAVIRUS DEATHS SURGE

Lee and other Shincheonji leaders have denied any wrongdoing, but in March, Lee apologized for the "unintentional" spread of the virus stemming from the church.

South Korea has reported 13,672 cases of the virus and has rigorously tested and quarantined people in pockets of the country that have reported higher case numbers of COVID-19.

Despite getting a handle on the outbreak by April, officials reported 60 new cases on Friday, including 39 linked to people arriving from abroad. The country is enforcing two-week quarantines for all people arriving from overseas.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP

The Associated Press contributed to this report.