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Seoul: The leader of a Christian sect at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak in South Korea is facing criminal charges, including murder, for allegedly obstructing efforts to control the virus’ spread.
Lee Man Hee, the founder and spiritual leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and 12 of his followers are accused of withholding the names of sect members who may have been infected with the virus, and therefore obstructing health authorities’ efforts to contain the outbreak.
Prosecutors in Seoul say the sect violated laws related to stopping the spread of infectious diseases, and should therefore be considered responsible for the deaths of some of the victims.
Lee, who is 88, on Monday apologised for not reacting to the outbreak quickly enough. Some members of the sect had apparently visited the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak and the first place where the virus was recorded, in January. (DPA)
Lee Man Hee, the founder and spiritual leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and 12 of his followers are accused of withholding the names of sect members who may have been infected with the virus, and therefore obstructing health authorities’ efforts to contain the outbreak.
Prosecutors in Seoul say the sect violated laws related to stopping the spread of infectious diseases, and should therefore be considered responsible for the deaths of some of the victims.
Lee, who is 88, on Monday apologised for not reacting to the outbreak quickly enough. Some members of the sect had apparently visited the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak and the first place where the virus was recorded, in January. (DPA)
