As Gyms in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Close, People Go on 'Exercise Expeditions'... Citizens Express Frustration

Closure of Indoor Sports Facilities Including Metropolitan Area Gyms
Some Citizens Move to Gyms in Chuncheon, Cheonan, and Other Areas
Netizens Criticize "Concerns Over COVID-19 Spread"
Government Urges "Stay Home Rather Than Using Sports Facilities... Please Follow Quarantine Rules"
Experts Say "Deviant Behavior Stemming from Depression Due to Prolonged COVID-19"

As the government has strengthened social distancing measures to level 2.5 in the Seoul metropolitan area, resulting in the suspension of indoor sports facilities such as gyms until the 6th of this month, some citizens are traveling to nearby areas outside the metropolitan region for so-called "expedition workouts," sparking public criticism. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] As social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area was strengthened to level 2.5, resulting in the suspension of indoor sports facilities such as gyms until the 6th of this month, some people have been traveling to places like Chuncheon and Cheonan for so-called 'expedition workouts,' sparking criticism.

This behavior undermines the purpose of social distancing to prevent COVID-19 and raises concerns that they may be creating 'gaps in quarantine.' Experts worry that individual acts of deviation could cause significant harm to society as a whole.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced on the 30th of last month, from midnight until midnight on the 6th of this month, that social distancing would be strengthened for eight days to block the spread of COVID-19. As a result, all indoor sports facilities such as gyms, billiard halls, badminton courts, and swimming pools in the metropolitan area are to cease operations.

Given this situation, some people have even moved to other regions to exercise. They are ignoring government quarantine rules and prioritizing their workouts despite concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

On an online community related to fitness, a post titled "High school gym newbie (a compound word of gym and child, meaning a beginner who recently started working out) went on an expedition gym trip to Cheonan, Chungnam" was posted.

The author wrote, "I usually live in Seoul, but since gyms in the metropolitan area are closed, I decided to go on an expedition to Cheonan, Chungnam, and left around 2 p.m. The first photo was taken on the subway, the second while waiting for the next train to Ssangyong Station at Cheonan Station. I arrived around 4:10 p.m. If you’re going, take the express train," and posted several photos.

As the government raised the social distancing level to 2.5 in the metropolitan area to prevent the spread of COVID-19, indoor sports facilities such as gyms have suspended operations. Meanwhile, numerous posts claiming to have gone on "expedition workouts" have been uploaded on an online community related to fitness, sparking controversy. The photo shows a post uploaded on an online fitness community. Photo by Online Community

Moreover, many photos tagged with hashtags like '#expeditiongym', '#expeditionbilliards', and '#coronaexpedition' were posted on Instagram and other platforms. Despite knowing that sports facilities in the metropolitan area are closed, they showed themselves exercising at these facilities, saying their bodies were 'itching to move.'

Citizens immediately voiced criticism, pointing out that this behavior disregards the efforts of quarantine authorities amid the resurgence of COVID-19.

Mr. Shin, a man in his 30s working as a gym trainer in the metropolitan area, lamented, "This is just too much. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we trainers have been forced to take 'unpaid leave' for a week. But every time some gym members boast about traveling to other regions to work out, I just sigh."

Mr. Shin added, "Because of people like that, the social distancing period gets extended and quarantine problems keep arising. I really wish they would just stop doing what they’re told not to do."

Criticism of 'expedition workouts' continued on social media and online communities. Netizen A said, "Going on an expedition gym trip? Isn’t that a bit of a nuisance? As expected from gym enthusiasts. You shouldn’t cause trouble in other regions."

Criticism also continued in fitness-related communities. In response to photos proving they went on expedition workouts, community members said things like, "Because of people like you, medical staff are struggling," and "You won’t die if you don’t work out for a week. Don’t act thoughtlessly."

On the afternoon of the 30th, when the social distancing level 2.5 measures were implemented in the metropolitan area to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a notice prohibiting gatherings was posted at an indoor sports facility in Seoul city. Photo by Yonhap News

Experts analyzed that 'expedition workouts' are individual acts of deviation born out of the bleak reality of not knowing when COVID-19 will end, but they expressed concern that such self-centered behavior could ultimately harm society as a whole.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said, "As social distancing due to COVID-19 prolongs, frustration and depression peak, leading to deviant behaviors like 'expedition workouts.' It’s the result of a careless mindset of 'It’s just me' and 'I probably won’t catch COVID-19.'"

Professor Kwak added, "The farther one moves away from their residential area, the easier it becomes to commit small deviations. Because of this, people may neglect quarantine rules they usually follow and find it easier to engage in deviant behavior. This can lead to group infections and other damages across society. Actions that break the rules of quarantine compliance should not be done as members of society," she emphasized.

Meanwhile, the government urged especially young people to minimize outdoor activities. They recommended exercising at home instead of visiting gyms and other facilities.

Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "We recommend home training rather than going to sports facilities. Replace face-to-face meetings with non-face-to-face meetings at home, and even when going out, please wear a mask indoors. Avoid crowded, enclosed, and close-contact places with poor ventilation," he urged.

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