Now, members of the conservative church are hitting back, saying not only were they used as a scapegoat for the government's mismanagement but that they are enduring persecution and public shaming as a result.

“This negative stigma is already deeply set in Korea, and by extension, in Korean immigrant communities abroad in countries like the United States. For this reason, Shincheonji has been an easy target for people’s blame and outrage regarding COVID-19,” Michelle Lee, a California-based Shincheonji member, told Fox News. “Members have suffered damage to them mentally, emotionally, professionally, socially, and physically because of this unfair persecution against Shincheonji.”