‘MB Imprisonment’ Seoul Eastern Detention Center Reports 185 COVID-19 Positive Cases Today... Visitation and Transfer Fully Prohibited (Comprehensive 2)

Comprehensive Testing of 2,844 Employees and Inmates Reveals 185 Positive Cases
Former President Lee Myung-bak Tests Negative

Seoul Eastern Detention Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] A cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has occurred at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, where former President Lee Myung-bak is incarcerated. According to a full investigation, a total of 185 people, including one staff member and 184 inmates, tested positive, but the former president is reported to have tested negative.

The Ministry of Justice has established an on-site response headquarters, implemented an emergency work system for all staff, and prohibited outings after work to manage the situation.

On the 19th, the Ministry of Justice stated, “Regarding the 17 confirmed COVID-19 cases among staff and inmates at Seoul Eastern Detention Center from the 27th of last month to the 16th of this month, we proactively conducted comprehensive diagnostic tests on 425 staff members and 2,419 inmates yesterday with the cooperation of health authorities. As of 2 p.m. today, one staff member and 184 inmates tested positive for COVID-19.”

The Ministry of Justice added, “We have established a COVID-19 on-site response headquarters at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, led by Director Shin Kyung-gu of the Ministry of Justice Security Policy Division, to strengthen on-site command systems and immediately isolated confirmed cases and their contacts in a separate detention building.”

Additionally, the Ministry said, “In cooperation with Seoul City and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, we are conducting epidemiological investigations into the infection routes. Regarding the large number of confirmed cases in the new inmate housing unit, we are thoroughly investigating the possibility of infection by both new inmates and staff.”

The Ministry of Justice stated, “Currently, all correctional facilities isolate new inmates for 14 days without exception from the day of admission and release them from isolation if no abnormalities are found. However, considering the recent spread of silent transmission by asymptomatic individuals in the metropolitan area, the possibility of infection spread by asymptomatic new inmates cannot be ruled out.”

The Ministry has implemented an emergency work system for all staff at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, prohibited outings after work, and completely suspended visits, educational events, transfers, and other activities that could involve contact. Additional medical personnel such as public health doctors, masks, and Level D protective suits have also been supplied.

The Ministry of Justice stated, “We have established and are implementing the ‘Seoul Eastern Detention Center Cohort Isolation Operation Plan’ and will carry out more effective COVID-19 prevention measures through thorough identification of infection routes and causes.”

The former president has been incarcerated at Seoul Eastern Detention Center since the 2nd of last month.

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