The First Day of Mask Mandate... Masks Were 'Optional' Not 'Mandatory'.

Despite Fines Threats, 'No Mask' Behavior Persists... Enforcement Officers Absent, Powerless Response

On the first day of the 'mask mandate' enforcement, at around 12:20 AM on the 13th, most citizens in a bar located in Sangmu District, Seo-gu, Gwangju's largest entertainment district, were talking without wearing masks. Photo by Yoon Jamin, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] On the 13th, when the mask-wearing mandate was fully enforced, it was hard to find either enforcement or masks in the bustling areas of Gwangju.

At midnight that day, in the old city hall intersection, where entertainment facilities subject to enforcement are concentrated, small groups of people wearing masks improperly?such as nose-exposed masks or masks worn under the chin?were strolling around despite a one-month grace period.

Although not an enforcement team, police officers patrolling in groups of four also appeared bewildered as they passed by without intervention.

Despite ongoing “cluster infections originating from entertainment establishments” in Gwangju, no enforcement was visible from Dong-gu, the local district responsible.

It was a moment that made the first day of the mask mandate seem meaningless.

A pub owner said, “Perhaps due to the cluster infections originating from entertainment pubs in the Sangmu district, the number of customers visiting the old city hall intersection area increased noticeably today,” adding, “If only enforcement officers were patrolling, managing quarantine would be easier, but we are busy explaining the updated quarantine guidelines one by one to customers not wearing masks.”

Many citizens were unaware that fines would be imposed for not wearing masks in mandatory areas.

Jeon Mo (25) said, “This is the first time I’ve heard about fines,” and asked back, “So, do we only have to take off masks when drinking alcohol?”

On the first day of the 'Mandatory Mask Wearing' enforcement, around midnight on the 13th, citizens without masks were strolling the streets of Gusi City Hall Intersection in Dong-gu, where entertainment bars are concentrated. Photo by Lee Gwan-woo

Around the same time, the situation in Sangmu district, Gwangju’s largest entertainment area, was not much different.

Unaware of the “cluster infections originating from entertainment establishments,” most citizens filling the pubs were not wearing masks.

Pub owners and employees requested customers to wear masks, but some citizens often pretended not to hear.

There were even disputes between owners and customers.

When an owner demanded mask-wearing by saying, “If you don’t wear a mask, you will be fined,” a customer retorted, “How can I wear a mask while continuously drinking and eating side dishes?”

Owner Cheon Mo (41) lamented, “In cafes or restaurants, you can distinguish between eating and talking, but in pubs, this is difficult, which is a big problem.”

Despite the situation, Seo-gu also did not conduct enforcement or guidance inspections that day.

Especially in Sangmu district, where concerns about renewed cluster infections originating from entertainment pubs are rising, citizens unanimously agree that enforcement should be tightened.

Park Hyun-ji (28, female) said, “Not only some citizens walking the streets but also most people inside pubs are not wearing masks and are talking closely together,” adding, “Shouldn’t strong enforcement be carried out from the very first day of the mandate to raise awareness?”

In response, a Seo-gu official explained, “Although enforcement was planned for the first day of the mandate, it is difficult to allocate enforcement personnel because confirmed cases continue to emerge in Seo-gu,” and added, “We plan to conduct enforcement as soon as possible.”

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