Police Request Arrest Warrant for 60-Year-Old Songpa Resident Repeatedly Violating Self-Quarantine... First Case (Comprehensive)

Seoul Police 27 Cases Detected, 28 People Booked
30s Woman in Seongdong-gu Also Subject to Quarantine Violation Warrant Application
Seoul Police Chief Lee Yong-pyo Emphasizes "Strict Measures"
Crackdown on 120 Unauthorized Entertainment Establishments

Commissioner Lee Yong-pyo of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police have applied for an arrest warrant for a man in his 60s who violated self-quarantine measures related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This is the first time an arrest warrant has been requested for violating self-quarantine.

On the 13th, Lee Yong-pyo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press conference, "We have applied for an arrest warrant today for a person who repeatedly violated self-quarantine after arriving from the United States, which was handled by the Songpa Police Station."

The Songpa Police Station is investigating Mr. A (68), who entered the country from the United States on the 10th, violated self-quarantine, was sent home, but then went to a sauna and restaurants again, on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

Additionally, the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul plans to apply for an arrest warrant for a woman in her 30s, Ms. B, who left after being ordered to self-quarantine, on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. Ms. B is reported to have left between the night of the 10th and early morning of the 11th, leaving her mobile phone at home. The police are tracking the exact time and route of her self-quarantine breach based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and other evidence.

Commissioner Lee emphasized, "Management of self-quarantine is a very necessary element as we transition to daily quarantine," and added, "We do not wait for local governments to file complaints but immediately start investigations in cases of self-quarantine breaches." He further stated, "When applying for arrest warrants related to self-quarantine violations, we plan to base decisions on important criteria such as infection risk, contact with multiple people, concealment through lies, repeated breaches, and obstruction of administrative duties by public officials," emphasizing, "We will take strict measures against those who violate self-quarantine."

There are a total of 27 cases of self-quarantine violations under investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, with 28 people booked and 3 referred to the prosecution. Regarding mask hoarding, 58 cases are under investigation with 86 people booked, and for mask sales fraud, 261 cases are being investigated with 118 people booked and under investigation.

Furthermore, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has monitored entertainment facilities and notified 328 establishments to be reported for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and cracked down on 120 illegal businesses such as unlicensed operations. Commissioner Lee said, "While the majority comply with quarantine rules, some establishments have violated them," adding, "If the Seoul Metropolitan Government requests joint inspections, we will actively participate, and the police will also conduct independent crackdowns based on legal grounds."

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