[Comprehensive] Lee Jae-myung "If You Refuse Inspection, Be Prepared for Criminal Punishment"

Gyeonggi-do Issues Emergency Over COVID-19 Spread from Itaewon Clubs
Contact Ban Ordered on Visitors from Source Since 10th
Lee Jae-myung: "Cases Doubled Daily Since Last Weekend"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originating from Itaewon clubs in Seoul continues to rise, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung warned on the 13th, "If you do not comply with free testing, anonymous testing, and prohibition of face-to-face contact, you must be prepared for compensation claims and criminal penalties."

Governor Lee appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day and stated, "Since we issued the testing order, the number of tests has surged starting Sunday and Monday. Currently, about 808 people have been tested, so the number is expected to increase significantly."

He explained, "Currently, 24 people are infected in Gyeonggi Province," adding, "Testing has surged since the implementation of anonymous testing." He continued, "Since last weekend, the number has been doubling daily," and predicted, "It is expected to increase further."

In particular, he emphasized, "If you are infected and the virus spreads, contact tracing will be conducted, and your identity will be revealed," warning, "That would be a serious problem," and repeatedly urged people to self-report.

On the afternoon of the 8th, when additional infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred at a club in Itaewon, Seoul, visited by patient number 66 from Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, the government issued an administrative order recommending the suspension of operations for one month at clubs and other entertainment facilities. A temporary closure notice is displayed on the screen in front of a voluntarily closed club in Itaewon, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 10th, Gyeonggi Province issued an order prohibiting face-to-face contact for those who visited infection sources such as Itaewon clubs.

Governor Lee held an emergency press conference at 2 p.m. on the same day and announced, "We are ordering the closure of all entertainment establishments such as clubs, room salons, and noraebang (karaoke bars), as well as emotional pubs and colatecs among general restaurants, for two weeks starting from the 10th," adding, "This is an unavoidable measure to prevent the balloon effect caused by Seoul's closure order and to realistically prevent further spread."

The 'closure order' prohibits gatherings at entertainment venues such as clubs, effectively suspending their operations.

In Gyeonggi Province, there are a total of 5,734 entertainment establishments, including 5,536 entertainment pubs (clubs, room salons, stand bars, cabarets, etc.), 133 emotional pubs, and 65 colatecs.

The closure order period is from 6 p.m. on the 10th to midnight on the 24th. The province stated, "These facilities must immediately cease operations, and violations may result in fines of up to 3 million won imposed on both business owners and users under the Infectious Disease Prevention Act."

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