241 Police Reports of Boarding Public Transport Without Wearing Masks

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A total of 241 police reports have been received for violations of the mandatory mask-wearing rule on public transportation, which has been enforced since last month to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Yiyong Pyo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, announced this during a regular briefing on the 22nd. Among the 242 reports of not wearing masks on public transportation,

17 cases where criminal suspicion was recognized are under investigation after being booked, 6 cases received warnings, and the rest were given guidance on the spot.

The mask violations on public transportation booked by the police include 2 cases of assaulting bus drivers who requested mask-wearing, 6 cases of obstructing operation, 6 cases of assaulting taxi drivers, and 3 cases of passenger assaults. Among the 17 cases, 9 suspects were arrested in flagrante delicto, and one passenger who assaulted a bus driver the previous day was detained. Commissioner Yi said, "Cases of not wearing masks during the summer are increasing, and there are many disputes with drivers while riding buses or public transportation," adding, "The police will respond strictly to reports related to mask-wearing."

Meanwhile, the police investigated 105 cases of quarantine violations due to COVID-19 and sent 65 people to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. Additionally, one person who obstructed epidemiological investigation with false movement records and 39 people who violated assembly bans were also referred to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. Thirty-four people who violated the ban on gatherings at entertainment establishments were also sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment.

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