"PC Bangs with Partitioned Booths Considered High-Risk Facilities? Business Owners Express Frustration"

Government Shutdown Compensation of 1 Million Won... "No Help at All, Must Take Some Responsibility"

A PC cafe in Namdong-gu, Incheon, suspended operations on the afternoon of the 19th of last month, when social distancing level 2 was implemented.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] As social distancing measures have been strengthened due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), self-employed individuals and small business owners have been complaining about economic damage, while PC bang operators, classified as high-risk facilities, have expressed dissatisfaction with the business suspension orders.

On the 9th, Kim Byung-soo, chairman of the Korea Internet PC Culture Association, said in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Sisa Jaki Jung Kwan-yong' that "(PC bang) seats are equipped with 'digeut'-shaped partitions, making it easier to block contact with the person next to you compared to other industries," adding, "It is an industry with a very well-established quarantine system."

Regarding quarantine preparations, he explained, "When customers enter, they first enter a QR code, and due to the nature of the industry, member authentication is done before using the PC to clearly verify who has come," and "People do not talk much. Rather than talking with the person next to them, they often wear headsets and communicate with others online."

Chairman Kim expressed dissatisfaction with PC bangs being classified as a high-risk industry despite having a well-established quarantine system. He said, "I think it was designated because many students come," and claimed, "Although many students come, it is the safest place among the places students visit."

He added, "Even when eating food, everyone eats at their individual seats, so they do not eat while talking," and said, "As everyone can see, high-risk facilities are places where masks are taken off in fully exposed situations."

Officials from the PC Bang Special Measures Committee appeal for damages caused by the assembly ban order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Chairman Kim lamented the business damage caused by the prolonged COVID-19 situation. He explained, "Customers have dropped sharply. Many people are unable to pay rent properly and after falling behind for a month or two, they end up closing their businesses," and said, "(PC bang operators) are all helpless and frustrated."

Regarding the government's payment of 1 million won per PC bang nationwide as compensation for business suspension, he said, "It is absolutely no help," and added, "Since the government unconditionally ordered us to close because we were classified as a high-risk facility, I think the government should take some responsibility."

He continued, "First of all, since our PC bang industry is not such a high-risk facility, I hope they will lift that designation first, and then consider various compensation measures."

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