Only 2,393 of Gwangbokjeol Rally Attendees Tested... 1,219 Refused Testing

Participants gathered at the Seoul Gwanghwamun rally held on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Among the 6,449 individuals subject to COVID-19 diagnostic testing orders for attending the Liberation Day rally, only about 37%, or 2,393 people, have undergone testing.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to conduct on-site investigations this week, accompanied by the police, targeting 774 individuals who remain unreachable among those required to be tested.

According to Seoul city on the 25th, following the Liberation Day rally at Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the 15th, one person was initially confirmed positive on the 16th, with an additional 45 cases by the 23rd and 2 more on the 24th, bringing the total related confirmed cases to 48.

The total number of people required to undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing for attending the Gwanghwamun rally is 6,449.

However, as of the previous day, 6,175 people (88.9%) among those targeted have been contacted.

Among the 6,175 contacted individuals, 2,393 citizens have been tested, with 18 testing positive.

Nevertheless, 1,219 citizens have refused testing despite being subject to it, and 779 remain unreachable.

Gwak Jong-bin, Director of the Autonomous Administration Division at Seoul City, stated at the COVID-19 online briefing held at Seoul City Hall at 11 a.m. that "As of the 24th, 1,219 citizens among those subject to testing have no plans to undergo COVID-19 testing. We have issued diagnostic testing orders to these individuals and sent text messages informing them that the testing targets have been expanded to include rally participants and nearby residents."

He added, "A total of 774 people who attended the Gwanghwamun rally are currently 'unreachable.' We will conduct on-site investigations and plan to carry out home visits accompanied by the police within this week."

The city also urged attendees of Sarang Jeil Church, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the Liberation Day rally to undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing.

Kim Jeong-il, Director of the Disease Control Division at Seoul City, emphasized at the briefing, "Those who attended Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the Liberation Day rally should visit the nearest screening clinic promptly for testing regardless of symptoms. All participants of the Liberation Day rally in downtown Seoul are requested to visit public health center screening clinics for testing, regardless of symptom presence."

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