Mokpo City Urges Voluntary Testing for Participants of Liberation Day Rally

Identified about 30 attendees, urging voluntary testing and considering criminal charges for violations

Strict adherence to quarantine rules requested, including mask-wearing and refraining from visiting other areas

Exterior view of Mokpo City Hall (Photo by Mokpo City)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Ki-dong] Mokpo City announced on the 21st that it has tentatively identified about 30 participants in the Liberation Day rally held on the 15th and urged them to voluntarily undergo anonymous testing, while stating that it will take strict measures against those who violate the testing obligation.

On the 16th, the city received a report that a bus driver had attended the Liberation Day rally and conducted an epidemiological investigation regarding attendance at the suspected church.

Initially, the church (pastor) strongly denied attendance at the rally, but GPS data from mobile phones confirmed that church officials had visited Seoul on that day.

The city is reviewing whether there was any violation of related laws and is considering criminal charges for false statements and violations of the diagnostic testing obligation.

As of the 21st, only 10 people have voluntarily undergone testing at screening clinics, and the city is making every effort to identify the remaining attendees and plans to strongly respond to any organized concealment or false statements.

A Mokpo city official urged, "This is a critical time when a large-scale local spread of COVID-19 is feared, so we hope that rally participants will promptly respond to the anonymous voluntary testing," adding, "Those who violate the diagnostic testing obligation or make false statements will be held accountable, including claims for damages and compensation for quarantine costs."

Additionally, Mayor Kim Jong-sik of Mokpo repeatedly requested strict compliance with quarantine rules such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and refraining from visiting other regions.

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