[Q&A] "Self-quarantine violators face imprisonment and fines even if wearing an Ansim Band"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 11th, the government decided to apply the use of electronic wristbands (Safe Bands) only to those who violate self-quarantine guidelines.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, explained the background of the application during a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the same day, saying, "Recently, the number of self-quarantine subjects due to overseas arrivals has significantly increased, and cases of unauthorized departure and re-entry during self-quarantine have occurred, raising the need to strengthen the management of self-quarantined individuals."

The official name of the electronic wristband is the Safe Band. It is linked and operated with the self-quarantine safety protection app installed on mobile phones via Bluetooth, and if the wearer moves beyond a certain distance or damages/cuts the Safe Band, an automatic notification is sent to the dedicated manager.

The Safe Band is to be worn by those who violate self-quarantine guidelines, such as unauthorized departure or failure to answer verification calls. Yoon, the head of the quarantine team, explained, "When a significant violation is detected, immediate legal action will be taken, and with the individual's consent, the Safe Band will be worn for the remaining self-quarantine period."

Since there is insufficient legal basis to enforce the wearing of the Safe Band, officials will provide a thorough explanation of the violation details and punishment regulations before obtaining consent.

Yoon emphasized, "After preparation periods for the Safe Band production and the self-quarantine safety protection app, implementation is planned within two weeks," adding, "We will strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy for violations of self-quarantine guidelines."

◇Below is a Q&A with Yoon, head of the quarantine team, regarding the Safe Band

- How will the Safe Band be applied to self-quarantine violators?

▲ When a self-quarantine guideline violation occurs, local government officials and police will be dispatched to the site and the Safe Band will be worn during the investigation process. Since the police and local government officials will jointly investigate cases of guideline violations, it is expected that violators will actively cooperate. However, due to insufficient legal grounds, consent forms will be obtained from violators before wearing the band.

- Will the Safe Band be applied retroactively to those who previously violated self-quarantine guidelines?

▲ The Safe Band will be applied within the next two weeks and is intended for cases occurring after its introduction.

- The Korean Bar Association stated that the Safe Band lacks explicit legal grounds under current law. What is your response?

▲ Given the many discussions regarding human rights issues, the target will be minimized to only those who violate self-quarantine guidelines. Since the band will be worn with the individual's consent, we aim to introduce it while minimizing human rights infringements.

- How many Safe Bands are currently available?

▲ The government has already completed test trials. If production begins, 4,000 units can be produced daily, allowing sufficient supply for implementation within two weeks.

- Violators face fines up to 10 million KRW or imprisonment up to one year. Does wearing the Safe Band postpone such punishments?

▲ Wearing the Safe Band does not change the zero-tolerance enforcement principle. However, during investigations of guideline violators wearing the band, such factors may be considered.

- If a self-quarantine violator refuses consent, can the Safe Band still be enforced?

▲ We expect self-quarantine violators to actively cooperate for the safety of the public and themselves.

- There have been cases of unauthorized departure among facility quarantine subjects. Is there a plan to introduce the Safe Band for them as well?

▲ There is no plan to introduce the Safe Band for facility quarantine subjects. Separate management measures will be strengthened for them.

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