So Su-jin: "Inmate in detention center shaking 'Help me' note... President Moon must respond"

"Prison Administration Chief Minister Chu Urged to Devise Countermeasures"

On the afternoon of the 29th, at the Dongbu Detention Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, an inmate wrote down complaints about overcrowding of confirmed cases and the ban on sending letters, and showed them to the press. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Jo Su-jin, a member of the People Power Party, urged, "President Moon Jae-in must respond," regarding the COVID-19 cluster infection that occurred at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center.

On the 31st, Jo wrote on her Facebook, "President Moon Jae-in, who is a human rights lawyer by background, should speak about the Seoul Eastern Detention Center incident," adding, "Right now, responding to the cluster infection is more urgent than vaccines."

She continued, "The scene where some inmates at the Eastern Detention Center reached their hands through the bars and waved notes that read 'Please save us' makes one question whether the Republic of Korea is a civilized country," she pointed out.

She further criticized, "The period when the virus spread in the detention center almost coincides with the time when Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae focused on ousting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, starting with his suspension and disciplinary request (on the 24th of last month) and culminating in a two-month suspension decision (on the 16th)." This implies that since Minister Choo is the ultimate authority over correctional facilities, she should bear responsibility for the cluster infection at the detention center.

Jo emphasized, "If this were a proper country and government, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Justice would be dismissed solely because of the Seoul Eastern Detention Center incident," adding, "Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, who is responsible for correctional administration, and Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu must urgently devise countermeasures."

She also urged, "It might be a method to select inmates who must be incarcerated based on the severity of their crimes," calling for measures such as parole to prevent further spread.

So Su-jin, Member of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, according to reports from various media on the same day, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases due to the cluster infection at the Eastern Detention Center has reached a total of 918. Among them, 21 are staff members, and 897 are inmates (including those released).

Since one staff member working at the facility tested positive for COVID-19 on the 27th, the number of confirmed cases has continued to surge.

Currently, the Ministry of Justice is considering transferring inmates from the Eastern Detention Center to other correctional facilities to block the spread of infection. Previously, 345 asymptomatic or mild confirmed inmates were transferred to the Gyeongbuk Northern No. 2 Prison, and 301 inmates who tested negative but were unconfirmed were moved to other correctional facilities such as the Seoul Southern Prison.

On the same day, Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu officially apologized for the cluster infection incident at the facility.

At the 'Correctional Facility COVID-19 Cluster Infection Status and Countermeasures Briefing,' Deputy Minister Lee said, "We sincerely apologize to the public for causing concern due to the COVID-19 cluster infection at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center," adding, "The Ministry of Justice has made efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities vulnerable to infection, but due to the limitations of detention facilities and insufficient preemptive quarantine measures, this incident occurred."

He emphasized, "The Ministry of Justice will strengthen quarantine and inspections within correctional facilities to prevent any further infections and will do its utmost to stabilize the current situation."

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