Coronavirus: Cult leader at centre of South Korea outbreak begs for forgiveness
The self-proclaimed messiah, who founded the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, said he did his best to stop the spread of the virus.
Thursday 5 March 2020 14:02, UK
The founder of a controversial cult at the centre of South Korea's coronavirus outbreak has apologised after one of its members infected many others.
Cult leader Lee Man-hee bowed low twice in a traditional sign of humility and regret at a news conference.
The self-proclaimed messiah, who founded and heads the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, said: "We did our best but were not able to stop the spread of the virus."
The reclusive cult leader, speaking outside a church facility in Gapyeong, added: "I'm really grateful, but at the same time asking forgiveness. I never thought this would happen, even in my dreams."
The 54-year-old also called the epidemic a "great calamity".
Followers of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus believe their founder will take them to heaven, and they had visited the Chinese city of Wuhan - where the virus originated - late last year.
A branch member of the church, known as Patient 31, was the first of a wave of infections to hit South Korea in recent weeks.
The church's suspected role in the outbreak has caused significant public anger, with several protesters shouting slurs at the cult leader as he asked for forgiveness.
Tensions had simmered ahead of the briefing outside the fortress-like venue, dubbed the Palace of Peace, which was guarded by hundreds of police officers.
Prosecutors are now being asked to consider a murder investigation amid allegations Mr Lee's organisation refused to co-operate with efforts to stop the disease.
South Korea, where there are now more than 4,300 coronavirus cases, is dealing with one of the biggest outbreaks outside mainland China.
Most of the country's cases have been linked to the cult leader's secretive church.
South Korea reported 599 new cases on Monday, taking its national tally to 4,335, according to Reuters. At least 26 people have died.
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus faces unprecedented scrutiny from authorities and the public, with all of its 310,000 known followers and "trainees" being tested for the virus.
A church spokesman showed documents saying Mr Lee tested negative for the virus.
Mr Lee said many people had "misunderstandings" about the church, but did not elaborate.
The church issued a statement late on Sunday saying it was complying with government measures and reiterating calls for an end to "stigmatisation, hatred and slander" against its followers.
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A church official told reporters after the news conference: "Our priority is to co-operate with authorities to combat the coronavirus as soon as possible."
The deaths in South Korea come as Public Health England warned Britain needs to be prepared for more "widespread transmission" of the coronavirus, including cases that might be "quite challenging".
Meanwhile, the risk of coronavirus in the European Union has risen from moderate to high.
The president of the European Commission confirmed the news after the illness had spread to most of western Europe, with Portugal having reported its first two cases.
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