Public Criticism of 'False Statements' by Incheon Academy Instructor: "Should Pursue Reimbursement and Compensation Claims"

Confirmed case refuses to disclose occupation, delaying self-quarantine for students
2nd and 3rd wave infections spread... Contacts attend church services, over 1,000 tested
Incheon City "Obstruction of epidemiological investigation, plans to report to police"

In Incheon, 10 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) linked to the "Seoul Itaewon club" outbreak were reported in a cluster. According to Incheon city on the 13th, a total of 10 people tested positive for COVID-19, including 3 in Yeonsu-gu, 3 in Michuhol-gu, and 4 in Jung-gu. They were identified as contacts of Mr. A, a lecturer at Seum Academy located in Michuhol-gu, who was confirmed positive on the 9th after visiting clubs in Itaewon. The photo shows the entrance door of the building housing Seum Academy in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, on the same day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] In Incheon, a private academy instructor who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has sparked public outrage by spreading second- and third-generation infections within the local community. Because the instructor initially lied about their occupation and movements during the epidemiological investigation, students were unable to self-isolate earlier, resulting in numerous contacts including church members.

On the 13th, Incheon City announced plans to file a complaint with the police against instructor A (25, patient number 102) from a private academy in Michuhol-gu under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act.

According to the city, A visited King Club in Itaewon, Seoul, from the 1st to the 3rd, and after being tested at the Michuhol-gu Public Health Center screening clinic on the 8th, was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the 9th.

However, during the initial investigation by health authorities, A did not disclose that they were a private academy instructor and claimed to be unemployed, also failing to clearly state the areas visited and their movements. Suspecting this, Incheon health authorities requested the police to check A’s mobile phone location data (GPS) and confirmed on the 12th that A was working as an instructor at a private academy in Michuhol-gu and also providing private tutoring.

Subsequently, health authorities quarantined A’s academy students, fellow instructors, and students and parents receiving private tutoring, and conducted specimen tests. As a result, one fellow instructor, seven students, one parent, and one private tutor?a total of 10 people?tested positive for COVID-19 on the 13th.

Earlier, on the 9th, an acquaintance of A (34), residing in Michuhol-gu, also tested positive, bringing the total number of second- and third-generation infections caused by A to 11.

Among them, two confirmed academy students attended services at two churches located in Michuhol-gu and Dong-gu on the 10th, raising concerns about further spread.

Health authorities have temporarily closed the private academy and the two churches for disinfection and are conducting diagnostic tests on about 100 academy students and 1,050 church members.

An Incheon city official stated, "If A had truthfully disclosed their occupation on the 9th when they were confirmed positive, contacts could have entered self-isolation earlier. Since two confirmed academy students visited churches over the past weekend and other confirmed contacts moved to various locations, an in-depth epidemiological investigation is underway."

The official added, "Since A is judged to have obstructed the epidemiological investigation, we plan to file a complaint with the police for violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act."

As it was revealed late that A was a private academy instructor and the number of second- and third-generation infections in the area increased, public sentiment has turned cold. Some voices call for the disclosure of personal information of confirmed patients who lied, as well as active criminal prosecution and claims for damages.

Netizens criticized, saying, "An academy instructor dealing with students shows no sense of responsibility. Their face should be revealed," "The affected students, academy, and churches should claim damages from the instructor," and "The administrative authorities should exercise their right of recourse to recover all quarantine costs."

Academy officials also expressed their frustration, saying, "This adds fuel to the fire in an already difficult situation due to COVID-19," "We conduct hand sanitization and temperature checks multiple times a day during classes, so this news is disheartening," and "Students come to the academy instead of school, so we worry about possible closure measures."

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