Foreigners Face 3 Million Won Fine for Leaving Quarantine Site Once... Ministry of Justice Plans Significant Increase in Penalties

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] In the future, foreign nationals entering Korea who violate self-quarantine by leaving the quarantine location even once are expected to face a fine of 3 million KRW.

The Ministry of Justice announced on the 11th a legislative notice for the amendment of the Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Control Act, which significantly raises fines imposed on foreigners who violate activity restriction orders.

According to this amendment, the fine for violating a Ministry of Justice order once will increase from the current 500,000 KRW to 3 million KRW.

For a second violation, the fine will rise from 2 million KRW to 5 million KRW, and for a third violation, from 5 million KRW to 10 million KRW. A fourth violation will increase from 10 million KRW to 15 million KRW. For five or more violations, the fine remains at 20 million KRW, as per the current rules.

The Ministry of Justice plans to complete related procedures promptly so that the new amendment can be implemented within this month.

Activity restriction is an administrative order issued by the Minister of Justice to limit the activities of foreigners or set other necessary compliance measures when deemed necessary for public order or important national interests. It was first implemented on the 1st of last month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, all foreigners entering from overseas receive an 'Activity Restriction Notice' during immigration inspection and are quarantined for two weeks.

The Ministry of Justice issues deportation orders along with fines to foreigners who violate the activity restriction orders. Last month alone, 18 foreigners were deported for violating self-quarantine measures or refusing to enter quarantine facilities.

A Ministry of Justice official stated, "In a situation where the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to prolong, compliance with self-quarantine by foreigners entering from overseas is very important to maintain the foundation of openness while blocking the spread of COVID-19," adding, "Since the preventive effect of the existing fines was weak, we decided to raise them."

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