Already 6 Confirmed... Police on Alert for COVID-19

168 People Awaiting COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests
Concerns Over Security Gaps Amid Consecutive Infections

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The aftermath of the COVID-19 cluster infections is spreading within the police force as well. Frontline police officers in Seoul have been consecutively confirmed positive for COVID-19, and the number of contacts continues to increase, raising concerns about a security vacuum.

According to the National Police Agency on the 18th, as of 6 a.m. that day, six police officers tested positive for COVID-19. Four others are showing suspicious symptoms, and 97 and 67 police officers who had contact with confirmed or suspected cases, respectively, are currently waiting to undergo diagnostic testing.

Among the infected police officers, four belong to the Hyehwa Police Station in Seoul. On the 15th and 16th, one female youth division lieutenant each tested positive, and on the 17th, two officers from the violent crimes unit were confirmed positive. Additionally, two police officers from Gwangjin Police Station and Gwanak Police Station were confirmed positive on the 17th. They are a married couple, and the officer from Gwanak Police Station reportedly stated during epidemiological investigation that he is a member of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and met an acquaintance attending the church after work on the 14th.

Concerns about a security vacuum are emerging as not only the infected but also those who had contact with them are being quarantined. Currently, Hyehwa Police Station has placed 34 people who had contact with the confirmed officers under self-quarantine. The station has also implemented disinfection measures and is managing external access through temperature checks. A Hyehwa Police Station official said, "For departments where COVID-19 cases have emerged, we are adjusting personnel and schedules to prevent any security gaps."

Additional infections may also arise, especially among police officers who had contact with Sarang Jeil Church members involved in the large-scale rally forcibly held in downtown Seoul on Liberation Day. The police deployed about 90 companies and over 7,000 officers at locations such as Gwanghwamun Station to prepare for any emergencies on that day.

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