Police Refer 545 People for Violating the Infectious Disease Control Act, Including Self-Quarantine Breaches

10 Arrested... 606 Under Investigation
18 Referred to Prosecution for Lying in Epidemiological Investigation
Drinking Alcohol During Quarantine and Assaulting Police Officers Also Reported

Police and quarantine authorities are conducting on-site inspections of self-quarantined individuals.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] It has been revealed that the police have referred over 500 people to the prosecution on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, including violations of self-quarantine related to COVID-19 and obstruction of epidemiological investigations.

According to the National Police Agency on the 14th, the police investigated 1,207 people for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act from February this year until the day before, and referred 545 people to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. Among them, 10 people with serious charges were detained, and investigations are ongoing for 606 people.

By type of referral, violations of quarantine measures were the most common with 317 people (7 detained). Many cases were detected where individuals violated quarantine rules by going to work during the quarantine period, visiting restaurants, karaoke rooms, and marts, or inviting acquaintances to the quarantine location for meals and drinking.

Among those detained, there was a case where a person visited restaurants and hospitals eight times during self-quarantine, went out to drink despite being in quarantine, caused a disturbance, and assaulted police officers who responded to the report. In addition, actions such as taking walks around the house or going to the underground parking lot to retrieve personal belongings were also recorded as violations of quarantine rules.

Regarding violations of gathering bans, 131 people were referred to the prosecution. These cases involved violating the gathering ban orders issued by health authorities for high-risk facilities, resulting in facility operations and access. Additionally, 18 people who deliberately gave false statements or concealed their movements during epidemiological investigations, thereby obstructing the investigation, were also referred to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment.

A National Police Agency official emphasized, "Various illegal acts violating COVID-19 quarantine rules are serious offenses that nullify the government's and the public's efforts to prevent the spread of infectious diseases," and added, "We will deal with them firmly and strictly through judicial procedures."

He continued, "There were many regrettable cases where only a little more caution in daily life could have prevented them," and urged, "We hope all citizens actively cooperate with the health authorities' quarantine measures."

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