Gwangju City COVID-19 Citizen Protection and Strict Punishment Committee Decides to Prosecute Patient No. 410

Concealed Participation as Leader in 8·15 Gwanghwamun Rally... Accused of Obstructing Epidemiological Investigation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan City COVID-19 Citizen Protection and Strict Punishment Committee (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Committee’) announced on the 11th that it has decided to file charges against patient number 410, who participated as a leader in the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally but concealed this fact and caused significant confusion in the epidemiological investigation after testing positive for COVID-19 during self-quarantine.

The Committee held its first meeting the day before and unanimously decided to file charges, considering that patient number 410 not only hid the fact that they were a leader at the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally but also provided a reduced list of rally participants, omitted some family members’ names despite many church members from their own church attending the rally, and that the omitted family members tested positive for COVID-19, thereby deliberately obstructing the epidemiological investigation by the quarantine authorities.

However, claims for damages or subrogation rights will be filed after promptly confirming the facts, as additional confirmed cases caused by patient number 410 have not yet been determined.

Furthermore, the Committee stated that it will continue to respond with the highest level of punishment prescribed by law against any deviant acts threatening the safety of Gwangju City related to COVID-19.

In addition, the Committee plans to discuss additional offenders who have been problematic so far in the near future.

Kim Jong-hyo, the Deputy Mayor for Administration, said, “Despite the administrative order for social distancing at level 3 or higher issued on August 27, when local infection cases began to surge, the number of confirmed cases has not decreased as expected. We will respond strictly not only by criminal prosecution but also by claiming damages if there is intentional false testimony or concealment of facts that obstruct epidemiological investigations.”

Meanwhile, the Committee was formed on the 3rd to ensure strictness, consistency, and promptness in punishing deviant and illegal acts that obstruct COVID-19 quarantine responses, and to clarify punishment standards and the subjects responsible for filing charges.

The Committee is chaired by the Deputy Mayor for Administration and includes related public officials, the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency, lawyers affiliated with Gwangju City, and, if necessary, deputy district heads of related autonomous districts. It decides on whether to file charges and claim damages (or subrogation rights).

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