Ministry of Justice Orders Prosecutors to Take Strong Action Against COVID-19 Quarantine Violations

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice has ordered the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and local prosecution offices to "respond strictly" to acts that hinder the government's and local governments' efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 28th, the Ministry of Justice announced that it had conveyed instructions to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and prosecution offices at all levels, stating, "In cases where illegal acts such as intentional, organized refusal, obstruction, or evasion of epidemiological investigations by health authorities occur, even without complaints or investigation requests from related agencies, immediately initiate compulsory investigations including search and seizure through close cooperation with the police, health authorities, and local governments."

It also added, "Please respond strictly, including conducting investigations under detention according to relevant laws (Article 79, Paragraph 1 and Article 18, Paragraph 3 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, obstruction of official duties by deception, etc.)."

Furthermore, it stated, "Regarding distribution disruption acts such as large-scale undocumented transactions, hoarding, and sales fraud disguised as sales of health supplies including masks, whose demand has rapidly increased nationwide, instructions were given to cooperate closely with the Korea Customs Service, National Tax Service, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and to respond strongly on the principle of investigation under detention."

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