A man in his 40s charged with 2 years in prison for violating self-quarantine twice in one day and theft

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The prosecution has requested a two-year prison sentence for a man in his 40s who was indicted for violating self-quarantine twice in one day after entering the country from abroad and stealing and using a card at a singing bar.

According to the legal community on the 15th, at the sentencing hearing held on the 12th at the Busan District Court Seobu Branch Criminal Division 5 (Judge Hwang Ji-hyun), the prosecution asked the court to sentence Mr. A, who was indicted for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and fraud charges, to two years in prison.

Although theft charges were added, this is a higher sentence request compared to recent cases where the prosecution sought fines or up to one year in prison for violations of self-quarantine.

The prosecution explained the reason for the sentence request, stating that Mr. A’s crime was serious as he violated self-quarantine twice in one day.

The revised Infectious Disease Control Act stipulates that a person who violates hospitalization or quarantine measures may be punished by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Mr. A entered Korea on April 29th via the United States from Mexico.

During his self-quarantine period, on the 6th of last month, Mr. A left his home and went to a singing room in Sasang-gu, Busan, then stole the owner’s card and spent about 500,000 won at a bar before being caught by the police.

After being booked by the police, Mr. A returned home but immediately violated self-quarantine again and was arrested by the police in Chungmu-dong, Seo-gu, Busan.

Mr. A’s lawyer pleaded for leniency, saying, "He committed the crime because he relaxed his guard after returning to his hometown after a long time. Mr. A’s elderly parents are in poor health."

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