"Too Scared to Tell Them to Wear Masks" Citizens Outraged Over Assaults by No-Mask Groups

Friction Over Masks... 151 People Booked in Seoul
Conflicts Frequent Due to Verbal Abuse and Assault After Mask Wearing Requests

Since June 1st, wearing masks has been mandatory when boarding buses. The photo is unrelated to the article content. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] "I wonder if asking people to wear masks is such an unpleasant thing to say.", "I'm actually uneasy because I'm too scared to even speak up."

As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is resurging recently in Seoul and the metropolitan area, mask-wearing, considered one of the minimum preventive measures, is still being neglected.

In particular, cases of disputes arising after requesting others to wear masks have been continuously reported since the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to multiple media outlets, from May 13 to this month’s 25th, 141 cases of conflicts related to restricting public transportation access to those not wearing masks were reported in Seoul, and 151 people were apprehended.

Among the 151 apprehended, those aged 60 and above accounted for the largest share at 39% (45 people), followed by those in their 50s (38 people). Next were people in their 40s (24), teens and twenties (23), and thirties (19) in that order.

Not only in Seoul but across the country, incidents of assaulting citizens, public transportation staff, taxi drivers, and public officials due to mask non-compliance have been continuously occurring.

Photo by Yonhap News

On the evening of the 23rd around 7 p.m., on a bus at the Ajou University Samgeori intersection in Wooman-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon City, a bus driver requested a passenger who had lowered their mask to wear it properly, but the passenger refused and assaulted a fellow passenger sitting next to them.

Also, on the 21st, on Seoul Subway Line 2, a passenger who was wearing a mask hanging on one ear and talking with companions was asked by nearby passengers to wear the mask properly, and reportedly threatened to wipe out the entire family.

In Busan, a man in his 40s was booked for assaulting a public official who requested mask-wearing at a community center.

As such incidents have occurred repeatedly, opinions are emerging that it is difficult to intervene even when spotting someone not wearing a mask, considering the possibility of unexpected situations.

A 27-year-old female office worker surnamed Lee, who commutes by subway, said, "There are still some people who use the subway without wearing masks," and added, "I want to ask them to wear masks, but I’m afraid of what might happen."

Lee said, "I cope by moving to another car or sitting far away," and added, "I don’t understand why asking someone to wear a mask is such an unpleasant thing to say."

A 24-year-old female university student surnamed Kang said, "I have actually witnessed fights between passengers not wearing masks and those trying to stop them," and pointed out, "Wearing masks has become basic etiquette in daily life, so I hope people follow it well."

The photo is unrelated to the article content. Photo by Yonhap News.

Even public transportation drivers and self-employed business owners expressed difficulty as disputes arise when refusing boarding or entry to those not wearing masks.

A taxi driver in his 50s, Mr. A, said, "Most passengers wear masks, but some still lack awareness about COVID-19 infection risks and say it’s okay not to wear one," and added, "Although I try to firmly refuse, I usually endure it fearing something bad might happen."

Mr. Hyun (26, male), who runs a cafe in Mapo-gu, Seoul, explained, "I have to keep the business open, but I warn customers to wear masks to prevent infections," and said, "Except when drinking or eating, I repeatedly ask customers to wear masks, but some respond with irritation."

Hyun added, "It’s not easy to make demands to customers as a cafe owner," and urged, "I will continue to ask for mask-wearing, so I hope everyone understands it as a good intention to prevent infections and be generous."

Meanwhile, local governments have started enforcing mandatory mask-wearing in daily life.

Seoul City reportedly issued an administrative order effective from the 24th requiring everyone to wear masks indoors and outdoors throughout Seoul.

Accordingly, except for unavoidable cases such as eating or drinking, masks must be worn at all times in Seoul. Violators may be subject to fines.

Earlier, Gyeonggi Province issued a similar administrative order from the 18th, and North Chungcheong Province from the 23rd.

This measure is based on Article 49, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2-4 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, which has been in effect since the 12th of this month. It authorizes the Minister of Health and Welfare, provincial governors, or mayors, county heads, and district chiefs to order compliance with quarantine guidelines such as mask-wearing in designated areas and periods when infectious disease transmission is a concern.

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