"Hey, What Does It Matter?" Assault and Verbal Abuse for Asking to 'Wear a Mask' on Public Transport

Three Months Since Mandatory Mask Wearing on Public Transport Began
Conflicts Over Mask Wearing Persist
Verbal Abuse and Violence Against Passenger Who Pointed Out Mask Non-Compliance

On the 27th, a man at Seoul Station Line 2 was seen assaulting a passenger who requested him to wear a mask and causing a disturbance. / Photo by YouTube Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] More than three months have passed since the mandatory mask-wearing on public transportation began, but incidents of people verbally abusing or assaulting citizens who request mask-wearing on public transportation continue to occur.

On the 27th, a 3-minute video titled "Subway Mask Fight," filmed on the same day, was uploaded on the YouTube channel 'SasaGeonGeon.'

The video shows an incident that took place on a train passing through Dangsan Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, where a man standing without a mask causes a disturbance after being asked by another passenger to wear a mask.

In the video, the man shouts, "What business is it of yours?" and starts cursing. He then takes off his slippers and slaps a passenger's cheek, pushes another passenger down, and chokes them. He is also seen threatening by throwing an umbrella.

The man, who continued his rampage, was arrested by the police at the scene. The next day (28th), when he arrived at the court for a pre-trial detention hearing, he responded to reporters' questions about the assault by saying, "I have been taking medication for bipolar disorder for 24 years. I will do my best to prevent such incidents," but also said, "I didn't know I had to wear a mask."

Meanwhile, on the 23rd, an incident occurred on a bus in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, where a passenger who lowered his mask below his chin refused the driver's request to wear the mask and assaulted a person sitting next to him.

It seems that conflicts over mask-wearing on public transportation are ongoing. According to multiple media reports, from the start of the mask mandate on public transportation in May until August 26, over three months, 141 cases of "conflicts restricting boarding of public transportation by unmasked individuals" were reported. The number of people apprehended was 151.

The most common type of incident was obstruction of business with 66 cases, followed by 57 cases of assault and injury.

In particular, on the subway, reports of unmasked individuals surged after the "August 15 Liberation Day Commemoration Rally Condemning the Moon Jae-in Government" held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 15th.

According to Seoul Metro, the number of reports of unmasked individuals on the subway increased from 10,999 last month to 18,658 so far this month, nearly doubling in one month. The surge in reports began three days after the Liberation Day rally, on the 18th.

Citizens wearing masks are boarding a bus at the Seoul Station Transfer Center. / Photo by Yonhap News

Given the situation, citizens in the Seoul metropolitan area who frequently use public transportation for their commute expressed concern.

A (28), an office worker who usually takes Seoul Subway Line 1 from Gyeonggi Province to Seoul for work, said, "The risk of infection is a problem, but I also hesitate to ask someone not wearing a mask to put it on. What if they suddenly get angry and try to harm me? But I can't avoid taking the subway to and from work, so I'm quite worried."

Another office worker, B (30), said, "I was shocked to see videos of unmasked passengers assaulting other passengers. Not wearing a mask during the COVID-19 situation is already a nuisance to others, but to get angry and lash out is shameless."

The government and local governments plan to strengthen sanctions against passengers refusing to wear masks on public transportation by imposing fines.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 26th that it plans to issue a legislative notice by mid-September for amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Rules of the "Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act," which stipulate that if people do not comply with the mask-wearing guidelines on buses, trains, and other public transportation during an infectious disease outbreak, they may be fined up to 100,000 KRW.

Local governments have also mandated mask-wearing in public places where COVID-19 cluster infections are likely to occur.

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

Gyeonggi Province issued a similar administrative order across the province starting on the 18th.

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