Boarding Bus Without Mask... On-the-Spot Arrest After 30-Minute Struggle

by Lee Gwanju

Published 17 Jun.2020 13:30(KST)

Updated 17 Jun.2020 14:43(KST)

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Bus Driver Refuses Legitimate Boarding Denial
About 10 Passengers Experience Discomfort
Police Apply Charges for Obstruction of Business

Starting from the 26th, wearing a mask will be mandatory when using buses, taxis, and trains. This measure aims to encourage mask-wearing amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19 through public transportation. Although there are no fines or penalties for passengers not wearing masks, drivers may refuse boarding before departure. The photo shows citizens wearing masks as they board a bus at the Seoul Station platform on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] A passenger who got into a dispute with a bus driver after attempting to board a bus without wearing a mask was arrested on the spot by the police.

The Jungbu Police Station in Seoul announced on the 17th that they have arrested and are investigating Mr. A on charges of obstruction of business.

According to the police, on the 15th of this month at around 3 p.m., Mr. A boarded a city bus at a bus stop in Yaksu-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul without wearing a mask. When the bus driver stopped the bus and requested him to get off, Mr. A resisted for about 30 minutes and refused to disembark.

At the time, there were about 10 passengers on the bus, and due to Mr. A's non-cooperation, the bus could not operate, causing inconvenience to those who had to get off. Mr. A was arrested on the spot by police who arrived following the bus driver's report.

Jungbu Police Station, Seoul / Photo by Yonhap News

This incident is the first case since the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency decided to take strong action against passengers causing problems on public transportation by not wearing masks. Earlier, Commissioner Lee Yong-pyo of the Seoul Police Agency stated at a press conference, "Wearing masks on public transportation is mandatory, and we plan to take strict measures against reports of disputes or disturbances caused by passengers boarding without masks."