‘Park Geun-hye Imprisonment’ Two Confirmed Cases at Seoul Detention Center... Ministry of Justice "Full Inspection Today"

Seoul Detention Center.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Amid a mass outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, two confirmed cases have also been reported at Seoul Detention Center, where former President Park Geun-hye is incarcerated, prompting an emergency response from correctional authorities.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that a labor prisoner who was released from Seoul Detention Center tested positive for COVID-19. Following this, diagnostic tests were conducted on 36 staff members and 50 inmates who had contact with the released individual the previous day, resulting in two inmates testing positive.

Of the 36 staff members, 33 tested negative, and the remaining three are awaiting test results, the Ministry of Justice reported.

The Ministry of Justice stated, "The confirmed inmates have been isolated and are under intensive care by the medical staff at Seoul Detention Center," adding, "With cooperation from health authorities, diagnostic tests will be conducted on all staff and inmates today."

Additionally, the Ministry said, "A special inspection team will be formed to conduct on-site inspections of COVID-19 prevention measures across correctional facilities nationwide starting today," and "In consultation with health authorities, we plan to carry out comprehensive testing of inmates in correctional facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area."

Earlier, at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, comprehensive diagnostic tests were conducted on 425 staff members and 2,419 inmates last week, resulting in one staff member and 185 inmates testing positive for COVID-19.

Considering that from November 27 to the 16th of this month, a total of 17 people?16 staff members and one inmate?were confirmed positive, the cumulative number of confirmed cases reached 203 as of the previous day.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s Administrative Office, which established the ‘COVID-19 Response Committee’ yesterday, decided to recommend actively considering flexible operation measures similar to a recess period for nationwide courts for three weeks from today until January 11 next year. This includes postponing or rescheduling trial and enforcement dates for cases other than urgent matters (such as detention-related cases, provisional injunctions, and suspension of execution).

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