"Intentional"... Jeju Province Files Compensation Lawsuit Against American Student and Mother Confirmed Positive (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Jeju Province will file a damages lawsuit against a mother and daughter who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Jeju despite having symptoms following a visit to the United States. The province judged that the mother and daughter acted intentionally by proceeding with the trip despite knowing their symptoms.

On the 26th, Jeju Province announced its plan to file a civil damages lawsuit against A (19, female), an American international student, and her mother B.

According to the province, the plaintiffs in the damages lawsuit include Jeju Province, which implemented quarantine measures using residents' budget, the businesses visited by the mother and daughter that suffered losses due to closures, and residents who were placed under self-quarantine after contact with the mother and daughter. The defendants are A and her mother B, who, as a travel companion, had the duty to take appropriate measures.

The province determined that A showed symptoms such as chills, muscle pain, and sore throat from the evening of the first day of arrival in Jeju on the 20th and even visited a hospital near the accommodation on the morning of the 23rd, but still proceeded with the trip, indicating intentionality.

Through legal review, the province recognizes a causal relationship between the damages caused to Jeju Province and its residents by the mother and daughter and is currently calculating the amount of damages. The claimed damages are expected to exceed 100 million won.

The province plans to confirm the willingness of the affected businesses and residents to participate in the lawsuit and then proceed with drafting the complaint and specifying the participants. It is also actively considering whether criminal responsibility can be pursued.

Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong stated that Jeju Province’s policy is to thoroughly investigate and firmly hold legally accountable some selfish visitors who do not follow quarantine guidelines.

Meanwhile, A, an international student at a U.S. university, departed from the United States on the 14th and entered Korea through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 15th. A and B traveled to Jeju on the 20th with two other companions and toured Jeju for four nights and five days until the 24th. A was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the 24th after returning to Seoul from Jeju, and B tested positive on the 25th after undergoing testing upon hearing of her daughter’s diagnosis.

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