US Military Commander Apologizes to Pyeongtaek City for 'No-Mask Salsa Dance Party' at Restaurant

On the night of the 4th, a dance party of the Humphreys Salsa Club was held at the restaurant 'Flightline Taproom' located on the premises of Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. Photo by Camp Humphreys Flightline Taproom Facebook capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The commander of Camp Humphreys, a U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, apologized to the city after a dance party was held at a restaurant within the base without attendees wearing masks, causing controversy.

According to Pyeongtaek City on the 8th, Michael F. Tremblay, commander of Camp Humphreys, called Mayor Jung Jang-seon of Pyeongtaek the previous evening to apologize. Later that morning, Colonel John Gonzalez, commander of the 51st Fighter Wing, also called Mayor Jung to apologize.

Mayor Jung responded, "The U.S. Forces Korea have made great efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the local community, but this incident may increase concerns and anxiety among residents," adding, "I requested thorough compliance with quarantine rules and measures to prevent recurrence."

The U.S. Forces Korea stated that they are preparing various measures to prevent recurrence along with actions commensurate with the seriousness of the matter.

Earlier, on the night of the 4th, a salsa dance party was held by the Humphreys Salsa Club at the restaurant 'Flightline Taproom' located inside Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. The restaurant announced the dance party schedule through social media the day before the event.

Photos and videos posted on social networking services (SNS) by some participants showed dozens of partygoers dancing without masks or wearing them improperly.

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