Jeju Island: "Gangnam District Office Responsible for Epidemiological Investigation of International Student Mother and Daughter"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Jeju Province has rebutted the statement made by Jung Soon-gyun, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, Seoul, who claimed that the American student mother and daughter who tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Jeju showed no symptoms at the time of their visit.

On the 29th, Bae Jong-myeon, head of the Jeju Infectious Disease Control Support Group, stated at a COVID-19 briefing held at the Jeju Provincial Government press room, "The epidemiological investigation results announced by Jeju Province were based on the epidemiological investigation report from Gangnam-gu." He clarified, "The fact that the American student A developed symptoms on the 20th was not newly discovered by the province but was determined based on information obtained by Gangnam-gu Office." He added, "A is a confirmed case in Gangnam-gu, and the responsibility for the epidemiological investigation lies with Gangnam-gu Office."

Earlier, when nationwide criticism surged over the announcement that the American student mother and daughter from Gangnam-gu traveled to Jeju while symptomatic, Mayor Jung issued a statement on the 27th to mitigate the situation. Mayor Jung said, "Jeju Province stated in a press release on the 26th that A experienced chills, muscle pain, and sore throat from the evening of the first day of arrival, the 20th, and even visited a hospital during the trip but continued traveling, implying intentionality. However, the epidemiological investigation revealed that A showed COVID-19-specific symptoms such as abnormalities in taste and smell only from the last day of the trip, the 24th."

Meanwhile, Jeju Province announced on the 25th, the day the American student tested positive, that "the student experienced chills, muscle pain, and sore throat from the evening of the first day of arrival, the 20th." Jeju Province currently plans to claim damages against the mother and daughter for 'implied intent' and is also considering pursuing criminal liability.

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