Police Launch Internal Investigation into Confirmed Cases at Seoul Baek Hospital... Signal for Direct Investigation

Patient hiding residence in Daegu hospitalized
Preliminary investigation launched before complaints
Violation of 'Infectious Disease Control Act'
Will police expand awareness investigation?

Medical staff, hospital officials, and police are busily moving in front of Baek Hospital in Jung-gu, Seoul, which was closed due to a patient who was confirmed with COVID-19 after being hospitalized while hiding the fact that they lived in Daegu on the 9th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police have launched a preliminary investigation into the 'Seoul Baek Hospital confirmed case' who was diagnosed with COVID-19 after being admitted to the hospital while concealing the fact that they resided in Daegu. Although there was no complaint from the quarantine authorities, the police initiated their own investigation, indicating the possibility of expanded police investigations related to COVID-19 in the future.

On the 9th, Police Commissioner Min Gap-ryong stated in a written briefing, "The Seoul Jungbu Police Station, which has jurisdiction over Seoul Baek Hospital, has started a preliminary investigation," adding, "We are verifying the facts, including whether there were any false statements made during the medical treatment process."

A (78-year-old female) patient who was hospitalized at Seoul Baek Hospital was confirmed positive for COVID-19 the day before. As a result, the hospital’s outpatient clinic and emergency room were closed. After being refused treatment and hospitalization at her usual hospitals, A concealed her residence in Daegu and was admitted to Seoul Baek Hospital on the 3rd of this month. The hospital stated its intention to file a complaint against A for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act due to withholding important information.

However, it is noteworthy that the police began the preliminary investigation before the hospital filed a complaint. A preliminary investigation is a stage before a formal investigation, where the facts are checked to determine if there is any actual suspicion of a crime. If suspicion is found during the preliminary investigation, the police will register the individual as a suspect and commence a formal investigation.

Until now, the police have only conducted investigations into violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act related to COVID-19 when there was a complaint or request for investigation from the quarantine authorities. The reason for focusing investigations mainly on complaint cases was that cooperation from the quarantine authorities is necessary once an investigation begins, and there was concern that investigations might interfere with the quarantine authorities’ work. Currently, there are a total of 12 cases under police investigation for violating quarantine orders, all initiated through complaints from local governments or relevant authorities. When tracking the whereabouts of Shincheonji Church members, local governments first confirmed their locations, and the police only conducted investigations for those members who could not be contacted upon request from the local governments.

The initiation of the preliminary investigation into the Seoul Baek Hospital confirmed case is interpreted as a signal that the police will no longer rely solely on complaints from local governments but will proactively conduct investigations on their own. The police believe that lies by some confirmed or suspected patients could lead to larger group infections or obstruct quarantine efforts. They also appear to have considered the reality where Shincheonji members conceal their affiliation and continue daily life, becoming COVID-19 'spreaders.'

A police official said, "We will cooperate with quarantine authorities and medical institutions to swiftly and strictly take legal action if illegal activities are confirmed," and urged, "We ask citizens to actively cooperate with COVID-19 quarantine measures and related activities."

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