On the First Day of Mask Mandate, 'Tteokseukeu' Persists... 100,000 Won Fine After One Month

Public Transportation and Medical Institutions Mandatory
12 Types of High-Risk Facilities Also Required
Mesh and Valve Masks Not Allowed

On the 13th, when the mandatory mask-wearing policy for public transportation and medical institutions began, citizens were seen walking with masks on at Sindorim Station in Guro-gu, Seoul. From this day, mask-wearing is mandatory for users and workers of public transportation and medical institutions, as well as attendees of gatherings. Additionally, mask-wearing can be enforced in other facilities depending on the social distancing level. After a one-month grace period, fines will be imposed starting from the 13th of next month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong, Intern Reporters Seungseop Song, Suhwan Kim] "Mask-wearing standard violations, but still in the guidance period..."

On the morning of the 13th, the first day of mandatory mask-wearing enforcement, in front of the ticket gate at Gangnam Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 during the morning commute. Seoul Metro employees holding banners that read "Wearing a mask is mandatory when using the subway" conducted promotional activities. Some passengers passed through the ticket gate wearing so-called "tuksseukeu" (mask worn under the chin), which does not properly cover the nose and mouth, but no enforcement or fines were issued. Within 10 minutes, 12 people violated the standards while passing through the Gangnam Station ticket gate during the morning commute. Commuters agreed on the necessity of wearing masks but appeared confused, citing ambiguous criteria for fines.

From this day, the revised Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act came into effect, mandating mask-wearing in specific places such as public transportation and medical institutions. However, the government extended the guidance period by one more month, so there will be no penalties such as fines for violations for the time being. According to health authorities, from this day forward, masks must be worn regardless of social distancing levels in public transportation, assemblies (protest sites), medical institutions, nursing facilities, and day and night care facilities. Under the 'Social Distancing Level 1' measures, mask-wearing is mandatory in 12 high-risk facilities including entertainment bars, colatecs, danran bars, emotional bars, hunting pochas, karaoke rooms, indoor standing concert halls, indoor group exercise, direct sales promotion centers such as door-to-door sales, large academies with over 300 people, buffet restaurants, and distribution logistics centers.

On the 13th, when the mandatory mask-wearing policy for public transportation and medical institutions began, citizens wearing masks were seen walking at Sindorim Station in Guro-gu, Seoul. From this day, mask-wearing is mandatory for users and workers of public transportation and medical institutions, as well as participants in gatherings. Additionally, mask-wearing can be enforced in other facilities depending on the social distancing level. After a one-month grace period, fines will be imposed starting from the 13th of next month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In the metropolitan area, where social distancing Level 1 (1.5) is applied, mask-wearing is also mandatory in academies with fewer than 300 people, arcades, general restaurants over 150㎡, water parks, amusement parks, vocational training institutions, study cafes, religious facilities, indoor wedding halls, performance venues, movie theaters, bathhouses (saunas), indoor sports facilities, multi-rooms (DVD rooms), funeral halls, and PC rooms. Violations may result in fines of up to 100,000 KRW for individuals and up to 3 million KRW for managers or operators. Even if wearing a mask, if it is worn hanging on the chin or pulled below the nose, it is subject to fines. However, children under 14 years old, people with developmental disabilities who have difficulty wearing masks independently, and those with medical opinions stating difficulty breathing when wearing masks are exempt from enforcement.

The strict regulations on mask-wearing standards and mask types, along with ambiguous exceptions, have caused confusion. The types of masks allowed under the mask mandate are KF94, KF80, KF-AD, and other health, surgical, and droplet-blocking masks approved as 'quasi-drugs' by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Cloth masks and disposable masks are exceptionally accepted. However, mesh-type masks, valve masks, and substitutes such as scarves or clothing are not recognized. Office worker Lee Gyunyeong (33) said, "It is true that wearing masks is essential, but it is difficult for individual citizens to wear masks that meet the standards recognized by health authorities properly," adding, "Citizens who bought mesh-type products before the standards were set should also be considered for their losses."

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