'Mask Villains' Appearing Everywhere... Assaults and Disturbances Also Increasing

'Mask Villain' Ignoring Quarantine Rules
Conflict Over Mask Wearing Escalates to Assault
Police: "Applying Zero Tolerance, Strict Punishment"

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A (23), who works part-time at a convenience store in Seoul’s Hangang Park, finds herself sighing every time she thinks about going to work these days. This is because of the frequent appearances of so-called 'mask villains'?a trendy term meaning villains or people who engage in disruptive behavior?at the store several times a day.

Those who wear their masks hanging on their chins or put them on only after entering the store are somewhat tolerable. However, there are customers who come in without masks, insisting they will just quickly buy something and leave, as well as those who wear masks properly but pull them down only when speaking.

A said, "I have guided customers to wear masks properly, but some have thrown items at me or hurled insults," adding, "Recently, a customer who visited the Hangang Park convenience store tested positive for COVID-19, so I feel even more anxious whenever I see such customers."

Although the enhanced social distancing level 2.5 remains in effect in the metropolitan area, conflicts over mask-wearing continue to occur frequently. Store owners and part-time workers complain that their main job has become instructing customers to follow quarantine rules.

Mask-related incidents happen across all types of businesses. At pharmacies, some have placed boxes of masks outside the store, instructing customers to wear one before entering and paying, due to frequent cases of customers entering without masks, claiming they came to buy masks.

These incidents often escalate beyond mere misunderstandings into physical altercations. On the 8th, in Hongseong, Chungnam Province, a man in his 30s was arrested by the police for assaulting a convenience store owner who requested mask-wearing. On the same day in Gwangju, a middle-aged couple and a teenage high school student were also arrested after a physical fight broke out over mask non-compliance.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Such situations occur even more frequently on public transportation. Recently, at Dangsan Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, a man in his 50s assaulted passengers who requested him to wear a mask. The man was handed over to the prosecution in custody on the 4th. Nationwide, there have been numerous cases of bus drivers being assaulted or verbally abused for requesting mask-wearing. Some citizens record these incidents and share them on online communities under names like 'Line O Mask Villain' or 'OO-dong Mask Villain.'

As similar incidents continue nationwide, the police have stepped up their response. According to the National Police Agency, as of the 30th of last month, there were 385 assault cases related to mask-wearing disputes on public transportation. Among these, 198 cases were sent to prosecution with recommendations for indictment, resulting in six arrests. Investigations are ongoing for 145 cases.

Earlier, the National Police Agency stated, "We will apply a zero-tolerance policy and strictly punish illegal acts such as violating quarantine rules or committing violence against people requesting mask-wearing on public transportation." They also announced that serious cases will be handled by special investigation teams with detention and prosecution.

Most local governments, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Busan, have issued administrative orders mandating mask-wearing. According to the revised Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act enforcement decree, starting from the 13th of next month, a fine of up to 100,000 KRW will be imposed for not wearing a mask in places where it is mandatory. The mask mandate on public transportation such as buses and subways has been in effect since May 26.

Meanwhile, the decision on whether to extend the metropolitan area’s social distancing level 2.5 will be made on the afternoon of the 13th. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) plans to hold a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun at 3 p.m. to finalize the operation plan related to level 2.5 in the metropolitan area. The results will be announced during a regular briefing around 4:30 p.m.

The CDSCH has been reviewing various options regarding the adjustment of distancing levels, including ending, extending, or introducing a third alternative. It is reported that the final plan had not been decided as of the day before.

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