Busan 'Mystery Officetel' Identity Revealed? 9 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed

Fortune-telling shop? Multi-level marketing company? Basement room? ... 'Stock Investment Room' Likely
Busan City Requests Investigation from Financial Services Commission ... "Avoid Speculation, Focus on Quarantine"

A text message sent by Busan City on the 30th as an emergency alert. Afterward, the city and Sasang-gu sent the same message several times, increasing curiosity about this officetel.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] What is the identity of the ‘Mystery Officetel’ in Yeonsan-dong, Yeonje-gu, Busan, visited by 5 confirmed COVID-19 patients?

The identity of ‘Yeonsan-dong Yeonsan SK View Officetel Building 102, Unit 209,’ which has produced a total of 9 direct and indirect confirmed cases as of the 1st, including 5 visitors and 4 people who had contact with those who visited this place, is being unveiled.

This ‘Unit 209’ was so mysterious that even neighboring residents only knew that there were many visitors but had no idea what kind of place it was.

As it emerged as a hotspot for a COVID-19 cluster infection, various speculations ran rampant, including whether it was a fortune-telling shop, a multi-level marketing business, or a ‘basement room’ (a temporary sales place for high-priced health products for the elderly). There was even a theory that it might be a prostitution establishment.

According to statements from the health authorities’ investigation so far, ‘Unit 209’ appears to have been used as a stock study room or a meeting place for investment.

Although many of the confirmed cases originating from this officetel refused to give statements or gave conflicting accounts, considering some testimonies and the presence of stock-related documents seen at the health authorities’ quarantine and investigation site, it seems certain that it was used as a ‘stock investment room.’

According to Busan city health authorities on the 1st, including confirmed case number 285 in Busan, 5 confirmed patients visited Yeonsan SK View Officetel Building 102, Unit 209 in Yeonsan-dong, Yeonje-gu, from the 17th to the 28th of last month.

Although their visits have not been confirmed, 4 people who had contact with confirmed cases from this officetel have also tested positive. This means that there are currently as many as 9 confirmed cases related to this officetel.

The number of visits varied among them. Some visited almost daily, while others visited only once.

Busan city is conducting additional investigations to determine if there are any illegal elements, considering that these individuals were reluctant to disclose the purpose of the officetel during the early stages of the epidemiological investigation.

They have also inquired with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency about whether any nationwide organizations are related to this place. An investigation has also been requested from the Financial Services Commission.

It has been confirmed that the officetel is being leased through normal procedures, including lease name registration.

Busan city explained that the reason for publicly disclosing the location via text message, despite it being a regular officetel unit and not a multi-use facility, was to quickly find contacts and prevent community transmission, and requested, “Please refrain from premature speculation and focus on quarantine efforts.”

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