40s Woman Arrested for Leaving Quarantine Without Permission 3 Times in 6 Days... 23 People Caught Violating Self-Quarantine in Incheon

Incheon Police Send 14 People to Prosecutors with Charges

A citizen waiting for a COVID-19 diagnostic test at the screening clinic of Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul is reading a notice regarding penalties for violating self-quarantine rules. 2020.5.14 / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Twenty-three people who violated quarantine authorities' guidelines and left their self-quarantine locations without permission in relation to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were collectively caught by the police.

On the 15th, the Investigation Division of Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced that they arrested A (41, female) on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act and booked 22 others, including Vietnamese national B (31, male), without detention.

A is suspected of leaving her self-quarantine locations three times between the 5th and 10th of this month, including her parents' house in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, and a friend's house in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, without permission.

She had entered the country through Incheon International Airport from Japan on the 2nd and was required to self-quarantine until midnight on the 16th according to quarantine authorities' guidelines.

However, on the 5th, she left her parents' house in Jeonju, took an express bus to Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, and was caught by the police. She also left her second quarantine location, a friend's house in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, and took the subway to Incheon Airport.

On the 10th, she again left her self-quarantine location without permission and moved to a guesthouse in Seoul, according to the investigation.

B entered from Vietnam and was caught on the 9th of last month while visiting a district office to obtain documents during his self-quarantine period. Additionally, a woman in her 20s who was booked without detention was found to have left her self-quarantine location for two hours after returning to visit a friend's house.

Violating self-quarantine guidelines and leaving without permission is punishable under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

A police official stated, "Among those booked without detention, 14 were sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment, and the rest are still under investigation," adding, "We plan to strictly investigate and detain malicious or habitual violators of self-quarantine."

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