Coronavirus: Half of South Korea’s 433 cases are linked to secret Church of Jesus cult whose leader thinks he’s IMMORTAL

:  “Unlike other churches, Shincheonji makes its members sit on the floor tightly together during services, in neat, military-like ranks and files.

“We were not supposed to have anything on our faces, like glasses or masks. We were trained to sing our hymns loudly.

We were not supposed to have anything on our faces, like glasses or masks. We were taught not to be afraid of illness.

Former church member Lee Ho-yeon

“We were taught not to be afraid of illness ... We were taught not to care about such worldly things like jobs, ambition or passion. Everything was focused on proselytizing, even when we were sick.”

CHURCH ON LOCKDOWN

Coronavirus cases have doubled in South Korea, adding to fears of a global pandemic.

There have now been 433 confirmed cases in South Korea, with 229 on Saturday.

The number of cases in the country is second only to mainland China.

More than half of those infected are part of a religious cult.

Another 111 are patients or staff at the Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, where two South Koreans have died.

More than 1,250 members of the religious group, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, have reported potential symptoms and officials are frantically searching for 700 more members so they can be tested.

Health officials are zeroing in on the church’s practices in an attempt to contain South Korea’s alarming coronavirus outbreak.

Officials in Seoul said they were closing Shincheonji churches and asking group members who were at services to isolate themselves, but the authorities have said hundreds cannot be reached.

---

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.