Won Hee-ryong: "Gangnam District Mayor, Stop Defending Residents Causing Harm and Manage Thoroughly"

Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] On the 30th, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong announced that he will file a lawsuit for damages against a mother and daughter American international students who traveled to Jeju despite showing suspected symptoms of COVID-19. Governor Won emphasized that the damages caused by them far exceed 100 million KRW.

On the 30th, Governor Won appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and said, "We plan to file the complaint as early as today," adding, "The amount of 100 million KRW is a minimum estimate. Considering not only Jeju's quarantine and administrative efforts but also the businesses that closed and more than 40 people who were suddenly placed under self-quarantine, the total damages caused by them make 100 million KRW a small amount. We will file a lawsuit as the damages are calculated."

Regarding Gangnam District Mayor Jung Soon-gyun's statement that the mother and daughter might be "innocent victims," Governor Won said, "I wonder why he said that," and pointed out, "The epidemiological investigation of the mother and daughter was conducted by Gangnam District Office, which informed us that they were sick from the day they arrived in Jeju. However, saying they had no symptoms during the Jeju trip is Gangnam District changing their story."

He continued, "When the international students became an issue, the story changed 180 degrees to say they had no symptoms when going to Jeju but symptoms appeared the day before leaving," adding, "I don't know if it's because of bias or some other reason, but I believe Gangnam District Office is acting to evade responsibility."

Regarding suspicions that the mother and daughter are family members of high-ranking officials or public servants, he dismissed the claim, saying, "We have not investigated that far and only have personal information sufficient to file a lawsuit," and "We have not investigated their family at all."

In response to criticism that filing a lawsuit against the mother and daughter is a "warning show," he said, "The businesses that suffered damages and the people placed under self-quarantine did not suffer as part of a show," and explained, "They truly suffered damages, so out of desperation and sorrow, we appeal to the law. How much compensation will be awarded and what penalties will be imposed are matters for the judiciary. We have a responsibility to justly represent the righteous anger of citizens who are sacrificing their daily lives to cooperate."

When asked if he accepts Mayor Jung's apology posted on the afternoon of the 29th, he replied, "It was not directed at us," and sharply criticized, "I think the Gangnam District Mayor should thoroughly guide and manage the many international students in Gangnam rather than protecting and defending Gangnam residents who cause harm."

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