Playing 'COVID-19' confirmed patient game in subway leads to punishment... Smoking and drinking also illegal

Seoul Metro Introduces Prohibited Acts in Subway That Harm Others
"Citizens Should Have Mature Awareness to Consider Others"

An elderly man intoxicated on Line 7 train is threatening other passengers. (Provided by Seoul Metro)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] What happens if someone spreads false information as a joke claiming they are a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the subway? To get straight to the point, it is a criminal act. It constitutes "spreading false information to obstruct business by means of deception and intimidation" due to causing unnecessary anxiety, and can be punished under Article 314 of the Criminal Act and various other laws.

Seoul Metro introduced on the 1st the prohibited acts inside the subway that cause harm to others. These include COVID-19 confirmed case pranks, loud one-person protests, smoking and drinking, verbal abuse, and assault occurring in the subway.

If a person conducts a loud one-person protest inside a subway station or train, obstructing the movement of passengers, it violates the company's passenger transportation terms and conditions, as well as Article 48 of the Railroad Safety Act (prohibited acts for railroad protection and order maintenance) and Article 3 of the Minor Offenses Act (causing anxiety, disturbance in the vicinity). If discovered, station staff can immediately request the person to leave, and refusal to leave may result in criminal punishment.

A student intoxicated on Line 2 train is urinating inside the train. (Provided by Seoul Metro)

In May 2015, an elderly intoxicated man caused problems by threatening other passengers with abusive language and wielding a danso (Korean bamboo flute) inside a Line 7 train. In 2011, a video was posted showing an elderly man shouting abusive language inside a Line 2 train. Cases of verbal abuse or assault against staff on duty still occur. Violence and verbal abuse inside the subway are basically punishable under the Criminal Act, and especially if the victim is a staff member, punishment under the Railroad Safety Act may include imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Generally, animals are not allowed on board, but exceptions are made for service dogs with disability assistance dog identification, and small pets placed in containers that are not visible inside and do not emit unpleasant odors may board together with their owners.

Drinking, smoking, and urinating are all punishable by law.

Meanwhile, under the current Railroad Safety Act and company regulations, eating inside the subway cannot be separately penalized, but foods that emit excessive odors or splash broth that may harm others require mature civic consciousness to voluntarily refrain for the sake of other passengers.

A woman is eating cup noodles inside a subway train. (Provided by Seoul Metro)

Additionally, basic subway etiquette includes ▲ sitting one person per seat ▲ giving up seats designated for pregnant women and transportation vulnerable persons ▲ covering mouth with sleeve when coughing or sneezing ▲ wearing masks and washing hands thoroughly before boarding the subway to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Choi Jung-gyun, Acting President of Seoul Metro, said, "To create a pleasant and safe Seoul subway, we hope citizens will use it with mature civic awareness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.