The Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak that started in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in China at the end of December 2019, has impacted 92 countries and territories in the world at present. Currently, the WHO has declared it as a global health emergency. The current confirmed cases as on 7th March 2020 has 101,828 confirmed cases, with dead cases stand at 3,483.
There are alarming news about new cases and community transmission in different countries around the globe. In the midst of the epidemic, South Korea has the most confirmed cases outside the epicentre, China.
As of early Saturday, it reported some confirmed cases of 7,041 cases, with 44 people, mostly elderly patients with underlying illnesses, have died. A total of 36 are in critical condition, while 118 have been released, after fully recovering from the Novel Coronavirus.
As a student pursuing my research in South Korea for these past few years, I was always impressed by the Korean culture and work ethic; their sincerity, dedication and commitment level to any given task is a sight to behold and adapt to.
The pali-pali culture (means hurry up) is the first thing we have to adopt when we step our foot in Korean soil. The normal long working hours from 8/9am to 6pm/7pm depicts the meticulous work ethic and time invested towards their jobs. No doubt, a small divided, war torn country in the 1940’s and early 1950’s rose up to be a fastest tech savvy growing economy standing at GDP 12 rank in the world. South Korea powered household names like Samsung, Hyundai, LG, POSCO, Kia motor besides others, not forgetting the Hallyu wave culture of K-drama and K-pop making its entry in the world.
Although, Korea has tested many confirmed cases now, I believe, it is not because the situation is escalating, rather, because the government is racing to fight this battle.
As of early 7th March 2020, the country has tested a total of 171,412 suspected cases, with 151,802 testing negative, the number of people being checked for the virus and under quarantine came to 19,620 as of Friday (6th March).
The health workers at the front line are combating persuasively and it is commended by many doctors around the world. Many developed countries are appreciating the swift measures taken by the Korean Government (there might be loopholes for sure and the future is uncertain too).
South Korea reported its first case on January 20th but it was not until February 23rd , that the Government put the country crisis alert level to the highest “red,” cause by a community transmission at Daegu city, 300 kilometers away from the capital City, Seoul, situated at the North Eastern part.
Interestingly, the epicenter transmission was at Shincheonji Church of Jesus, where the so-called Pastor Lee Man-Hee is supposed to be immortal and a group of 144,000 believers is promised eternal life.
The mainland protestant churches considered this controversial sect as a cultic group which claimed to have 2,10,000 registered church members nationwide (2,40,000 worldwide). Out of the confirmed cases until now, 63.5% in Korea are from this sect and they all had been tested by 7th March, some waiting for the result. This is a perfect example of distorting the Christian truth when someone claimed to be the second Messiah, having power to give eternal life to his followers.
Jesus said in Mathew 24:5, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” It is high time for us to stand up against this type of Christian sect by steadfastly holding on every Word of the Bible, not some bits and parts as this cultic Christian group usually does.
Also, the government has taken precautionary call in the country by extending nationwide school breaks until 23rd March to contain further spread of the virus and imposed “social distancing,” avoiding crowded places; many office works shifting to online meeting and home based.
Here, again the Christian churches come under scrutiny and public rage because many protestant churches don’t want to cancel their Sunday morning worship.
Although, many big mega churches like Onnuri church, Yoido Full Gospel church and many protestant churches like my church has opted for online worship instead. On the other hand, the Catholic and Buddhist community has suspense all public gatherings until further notice. Thus, this becomes a hot bed topic, with the Christian extremist group claiming the protection of God and continuing with their worship services and protest against the government propaganda, which has endangered many lives and increases community transmission, to which, I should say, ‘ reckless and irresponsible’. I, as an observer fully co-operate with the government preventive measures that are in place to aid its citizens. We not only get latest update from our phone messages daily, but the government try to meet the needs of providing mask and increase health system for the public convenience. What then should our Christian response stand in such a time as this? I believe that our God will cover, heal and protect me, and no harm will befall me (Psalms 91:1-16; Psalms 23:4; 2 Thess. 3:3). But as a responsible Christian, I would chose to obey the higher authority in this kind of crisis instead of baffling on spiritual superiority and bring Christ name to shame by our so-called reckless faith. The Bible tell us to be wise and redeem the day/time for it is evil (Ephesians 5:16), this in rhetoric apply to this kind of situation. I completely agree with Apostle Paul, when he said that, he rather stop eating meat offer to idols, although he knows it is not a sin, if his action will hinder someone of weaker faith to stumble and fall (1 Corinthians 8:13). He chose the common good of all people and that must be our priority too. He furthermore cautioned, “be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor. 8: 9). Unless it is against the teaching of the Bible, we should co-operate and respect the higher authority (Romans 13:2-7; Titus 3:1-3) because God raise up leaders in due time for a purpose. We can never comprehend all of God’s plan and purpose for humanity, Yet, we believe that God is in control (Romans 8:28; Isaiah 41:10, 55:8-11; Ephe.1:11; Math. 19:26; ). Jesus said, “and this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of those who has given me, but raise them up at the last days” (John 6:39). So, let us discard spiritual stubbornness that hinder the goodnews of Jesus Christ, but instead choose to be submissive to the authority and church leaders directives if it is for the common benefits of the community as in this situation. For God has given us wisdom and discernment spirit to know the right from wrong, safety from dangers, faith from reckless behaviour.
I believe as a responsible Christian, if we fully cooperate with the government directives, we can win this war sooner together, although the coming weeks plays crucial role of the outcome. India has new confirmed 32 cases , I sincerely urge our Naga people, in the worst case scenario, if it at all reach our land, to co-operate with the higher authorities, and show an exemplary responsibility as a true Christian, and a loyal citizen of the Land. Peace and Grace!
Vesetalu Tetseo, PhD, Researcher, Seoul Christian University