[Full Text] Choo Mi-ae's Statement "Arrest Investigation for Obstructing Quarantine Activities... Request for Maximum Legal Sentence"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the 21st, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae stated regarding the COVID-19 situation spreading mainly in the metropolitan area, "We will strictly take measures using all means permitted by law, including discretionary and compulsory investigations, against any acts that hinder quarantine activities."

Minister Choo made this announcement during a national address held at the joint briefing room of the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon, saying, "Acts that obstruct the authorities' quarantine activities and undermine the national quarantine system are occurring frequently."

Regarding acts that hinder quarantine activities, Minister Choo said, "These are extremely serious crimes that infringe on the people's right to life and threaten the existence of the nation, and we will prosecute with detention as the principle and seek the maximum legal penalty."

Specific acts hindering quarantine activities include ▲violations of gathering restriction orders under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and related laws ▲refusal, obstruction, or evasion of epidemiological investigations such as submitting false information ▲spitting or violence against quarantine personnel ▲deliberately cutting off contact and fleeing ▲organized refusal and incitement of testing.

Minister Choo expressed deep empathy for the public's difficulties due to strengthened quarantine measures restricting daily life including religious activities, but emphasized, "If we do not stop COVID-19 now, we cannot overcome the economic crisis."

She also urged, "All citizens must unite to overcome this challenge. Please trust the government and quarantine authorities and actively cooperate with the government's quarantine guidelines."

Below is the full text of the address.

Quotation

Respected citizens! This is the Minister of Justice.

Thanks to the active cooperation of the people over the past several months and the dedication of medical personnel and quarantine authorities, the COVID-19 situation has been managed stably, earning praise as the world's best model for quarantine.

However, due to the irresponsible actions of some individuals recently, the number of COVID-19 cases has surged unbelievably and rapidly re-spread at a frightening speed, reaching the threshold of a second large-scale outbreak.

Not only is the life and safety of the people directly threatened, but many workplaces have closed, children cannot continue attending school, and normal life has become impossible due to the ongoing damages. There is even a sense of crisis and fear that everything we have achieved so far could be lost in an instant.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, acts that obstruct the authorities' quarantine activities and undermine the national quarantine system are occurring frequently. These acts are extremely serious crimes that infringe on the people's right to life and threaten the existence of the nation.

The Ministry of Justice will strictly take measures using all means permitted by law, including discretionary and compulsory investigations, against all acts that hinder quarantine activities such as violations of gathering restriction orders under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and related laws, refusal or obstruction of epidemiological investigations including submitting false information, spitting or violence against quarantine personnel, deliberately cutting off contact and fleeing, and organized refusal and incitement of testing.

In particular, for malicious acts hindering quarantine activities, we will prosecute with detention as the principle and seek the maximum legal penalty.

We deeply empathize with the public's hardships due to restrictions on daily life including religious activities caused by strengthened quarantine guidelines.

The government also deeply shares this sentiment.

All citizens must unite to overcome this challenge. We must prevent further spread. If we do not stop COVID-19 now, we cannot overcome the economic crisis. We ask all citizens to trust the government and quarantine authorities and actively cooperate with the government's quarantine guidelines.

Let us all believe in the great strength of the Republic of Korea and overcome this moment of crisis together. Thank you.