Daegu City Imposes Fines for Not Wearing Masks... Civic Groups Demand "Revoke Administrative Order"

"Excessive and One-Sided Policy... An Outdated Perception Viewing Citizens as Mere Mobilization Targets"

On the afternoon of the 23rd of last month, at the Daegu City Hall Annex in Buk-gu, Daegu, during the 1st Emergency Economic Measures Meeting for COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Infection), Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin is delivering a greeting. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As Daegu City announced that mask-wearing will be mandatory and fines will be imposed on those who do not comply, civic groups have called for the withdrawal of the administrative order, calling it an "excessive and one-sided policy."

On the 6th, Daegu Participation Solidarity issued a statement saying, "There is great public outcry over Mayor Kwon Young-jin's administrative order to impose a fine of 3 million won for not wearing masks on public transportation and in public facilities."

They added, "Since Daegu is the region most severely affected by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, there is some understanding that the city must do its best with a sense of unlimited responsibility. However, we cannot help but condemn the excessive and one-sided policy," raising their voices.

Daegu Participation Solidarity pointed out, "The reason Daegu has successfully managed quarantine measures so far is thanks to the voluntary participation of its citizens. However, this administrative order regards citizens who have cooperated well with quarantine efforts as subjects who must comply with the mayor's administrative order, which is one-sided and authoritarian."

They continued, "Claiming to practice citizen-participatory governance but making unilateral decisions still reveals an outdated perception that views citizens as objects of mobilization. While verbally claiming achievements through active citizen participation, they still see citizens only as targets for guidance and control," strongly criticizing the policy.

They also pointed out, "There is a problem in that a fine of 3 million won can be harsh for ordinary citizens, who are not groups or institutions deliberately uncooperative with quarantine, especially in the current difficult economic situation."

Finally, Daegu Participation Solidarity stated, "Such decisions should be made after sufficient discussion and consensus," and urged again for the withdrawal of the administrative order, saying, "Mayor Kwon should acknowledge that such unilateral administration is a mistake that undermines the trust and solidarity essential to quarantine and apologize."

Mayor Kwon, in a statement titled "Daegu City's Response Direction and Message to Citizens Following the Government's Shift in COVID-19 Quarantine Policy" on the previous day (May 5), announced, "Daegu City will align with the government's daily quarantine policy but will implement quarantine measures strengthened beyond the government's level according to Daegu's situation."

He continued, "Daegu City strongly recommends all citizens to make mask-wearing a daily habit and will issue an administrative order mandating mask-wearing when using public transportation such as buses, subways, taxis, and public facilities."

If the administrative order related to mask-wearing is violated, offenders will be prosecuted under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act and face fines of up to 3 million won.

Mayor Kwon explained, "After a one-week promotion and guidance period, the policy will be strictly enforced starting May 13, when the third-year high school students begin attending school."

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