"Are They Not Ashamed in Front of the People?" Amid This Situation, Politicians' 'Eat and Drink' Alcohol Party Sparks 'Quarantine Violation' Controversy

Cha Woo-jin Mapo District Council Member Caught in 5-Person Drinking Party
Yoon Mi-hyang and Others' Political Figures' Repeated Violations of Quarantine Rules Including 'Wine Party'
Citizens Say "Called for Quarantine... Feeling Empty"

Chae Woo-jin, a member of the Seoul Mapo District Council affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Chae Woo-jin (Instagram capture)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Controversy has erupted after it was revealed that Chae Woojin, a member of the Seoul Mapo District Council from the Democratic Party of Korea, ignored the government's 'ban on gatherings of five or more people' and held a so-called 'drinking party.' The repeated violations of quarantine rules by politicians, who should be setting an example amid the domestic surge of over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases, have left citizens feeling disillusioned.

According to a compilation of reports from the Mapo District Office and the media on the 30th, Councilor Chae was caught by the district office and police around 11 p.m. on the 28th while holding a gathering of five people, including himself, at a party room near Hapjeong Station in Mapo-gu. The party room was subject to the gathering ban, and the group was discovered following a complaint from nearby residents about loud music late at night.

Chae explained to the media, "There was no signboard, so I didn't know it was a party room; I thought it was an office." He also claimed that he was there only to listen to the difficulties of local business owners and residents in his constituency and that he did not drink alcohol.

The government has prohibited gatherings of five or more people at restaurants nationwide from the 24th of last month until January 3rd next year. Accordingly, the five people who gathered, including Councilor Chae, are expected to face fines of up to 100,000 won, while the party room owner may be fined up to 3 million won.

A post that Yoon Mee-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, uploaded on her Instagram on the 12th./Photo by Yoon Mee-hyang

As this fact became known, criticism poured in from citizens. They pointed out that politicians, who have been urging the public to comply with quarantine guidelines, are themselves violating these rules and causing a public health crisis.

Netizens criticized, saying, "They urge the public to follow quarantine rules but drink and do whatever they want themselves," "Who mistakes a party room for an office? The excuse is pathetic," and "Is this quarantine hypocrisy?"

This is not the first case of a politician failing to comply with quarantine guidelines. Earlier, on the 12th, as the third wave of COVID-19 was beginning, Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang posted a photo on her Instagram of a 'wine party' with five acquaintances, sparking controversy.

In the photo posted by Yoon, none of the attendees wore masks or practiced social distancing. Although the ban on gatherings of five or more had not yet been implemented at that time, the behavior was criticized as inappropriate given the serious COVID-19 situation.

Meanwhile, in September, it was revealed that nine lawmakers, including Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jumin, held a drinking party at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, which also drew public criticism.

Cases of politicians, who should be setting an example by following government guidelines, violating rules or holding unnecessary gatherings have continued to emerge, causing citizens to feel disheartened and disappointed.

Office worker Kang (27) said, "While citizens are starving and enduring the COVID crisis, refraining from going out and having fun, politicians are drinking and meeting friends behind the scenes," adding, "Seeing this makes me feel disillusioned and even ashamed."

Meanwhile, on the 29th, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases rose back to over 1,000 after three days. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, 1,046 new cases were reported as of midnight that day.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters held at Seoul City Hall that day, said, "Although the majority of the public is actively participating in the year-end and New Year quarantine reinforcement special measures, some are gathering in places difficult to reach with quarantine measures or exploiting lax enforcement to operate businesses, as pointed out by the media," and emphasized, "I earnestly ask for the voluntary participation of all citizens once again."

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