Nearly 1,000 Confirmed Cases Related to Dongbu Detention Center... 5th Full Investigation Underway

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cluster infection at Seoul Dongbu Detention Center is approaching 1,000. Although the Ministry of Justice has implemented COVID-19 measures for correctional facilities nationwide, it is difficult to achieve immediate results in the short term.

According to the Ministry of Justice as of midnight on the 2nd, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in correctional facilities nationwide is 982. Among them, 942 are inmates (including released individuals), and 40 are correctional facility staff. Family members and acquaintances are excluded.

Of these, 937 cases were confirmed at Dongbu Detention Center, including 915 inmates and 22 staff members. The health authorities explained that considering an additional 21 related confirmed cases among their family members and acquaintances, the total reaches 958.

The 14 newly confirmed cases added the previous day are all related to Dongbu Detention Center. They include 13 inmates and 1 staff member. Among the additional confirmed cases, one Dongbu Detention Center staff member was classified as a close contact and had been in self-quarantine since the 26th of last month, later testing positive at a local health center. Dongbu Detention Center plans to conduct a fifth full-scale test on inmates who tested negative. The target of this investigation is 1,128 inmates excluding confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice decided to apply a three-stage social distancing system to correctional facilities nationwide. This means completely restricting inmate treatment such as visits, work, and education to minimize contact between inmates. In particular, visits by lawyers will also be restricted. Staff will immediately enter an emergency work system, and external activities will be prohibited in principle.

Additional transfers to reduce the inmate density at Dongbu Detention Center are also under consideration. Recently, 345 confirmed cases were transferred to Cheongsong Prison, and it was believed that the density would not exceed 120% even if subsequent confirmed cases remained at Dongbu Detention Center. However, as more confirmed cases continued to emerge, other transfer locations are now being considered.

Parole will also be expanded for model inmates, excluding labor prisoners and those with underlying diseases that could worsen to severe conditions. This is also a measure to reduce density within correctional facilities. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced the previous day that, considering the lack of additional capacity in correctional facilities, it will reduce the number of labor prisoners detained for unpaid fines, which account for 20% of new inmates.

In addition, Dongbu Detention Center will be designated as a residential treatment facility to reorganize it as a facility for housing future confirmed cases, and plans have been announced to transfer non-confirmed inmates to other correctional institutions as soon as possible to separate them.

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