Businesses Subject to Jeonbuk Province's Gathering Ban Administrative Order... Opposition

Jeonbuk Provincial Government Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Gominhyeong] Jeonbuk Province has issued an administrative order banning gatherings at about 1,000 general restaurants including clubs, sparking strong opposition from related businesses.

It is essentially a 'closure' measure during the period, and the businesses say it places a heavy burden on their operations.

On the 12th, the province issued a 'ban on gatherings administrative order' to 1,029 locations in the province to prevent a cluster outbreak of COVID-19 originating from Itaewon clubs.

The ban on gatherings administrative order corresponds to a suspension of business operations.

The targets are 1,001 entertainment bars including clubs, 18 colateks, and 10 general restaurants in the form of emotional pubs.

The administrative order is effective for two weeks until midnight on the 26th.

Business owners and users who violate this order may face fines of up to 3 million won.

Given this situation, opposition from related businesses continues.

Most of these businesses say that in reality, customer visits have sharply declined due to COVID-19, and because they are located in busy districts, they face heavy burdens such as rent and labor costs.

A representative of bar A said, "Clubs in Seoul and the metropolitan area have many people, so business is not greatly affected, but in the region, there are not many people, and it is difficult to operate day by day," adding, "We understand the cause of COVID-19 prevention, but it is too harsh for Jeonbuk Province to order us to close without any economic compensation measures."

In response, a provincial official explained, "This measure is to prevent young people from flocking to Jeonbuk while 11 cities and provinces nationwide including Seoul have issued administrative orders banning gatherings."

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