The Supreme Court of Korea has upheld a fine of 3 million won against Pastor Son Hyun-bo, the head of the World Church in Busan, for violating local assembly restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the heightened concern over the spread of the virus, local governments imposed strict restrictions to prohibit in-person gatherings, yet Pastor Son held ten such services from August 2020 to January 2021, defying these regulations. The ruling confirms the prior sentences from both lower courts, emphasizing the seriousness of the public health implications of his actions.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed Pastor Son's arguments that the restrictions were disproportionate and invalid under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. Both the first and second trials recognized the violation and emphasized the necessity of penalizing actions that undermine health policies aimed at protecting the public. The second trial highlighted the repeated nature of the violations as a aggravating factor.

This case underlines the ongoing tensions between public health mandates and religious freedoms during the pandemic. As different regions continue to face challenges in managing COVID-19 outbreaks, the legal precedents set by such cases may influence how governmental powers and individual rights are balanced moving forward, particularly in the context of religious practices and gatherings.