Health Authorities on Hwang Unha's Acquaintance Gathering Controversy: "Meeting Acquaintances by Chance Is Not a Violation"

Hwang Unha, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Hanah Na] Amid controversy over whether Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Unha violated the 'ban on gatherings of more than five people' by having a year-end dinner meeting with acquaintances, health authorities have stated that it does not constitute a violation of quarantine rules.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), held a regular briefing at the Government Seoul Office and said, "If the meeting was pre-arranged, it is a violation of quarantine rules if there are more than five people regardless of the time of entry or exit. However, if you went to a restaurant and happened to meet acquaintances by chance, it cannot be considered a violation."

Earlier, on the 26th of last month, controversy arose as six people dined at two separate tables in a restaurant in Jung-gu, Daejeon, which was considered a violation of the ban on private gatherings of more than five people.

In response, lawmaker Hwang's side denied the allegations, stating that he went to a table for three and happened to meet acquaintances at the restaurant. One of the people he came into contact with at the meal was later confirmed positive for COVID-19, and Hwang was classified as a close contact and entered self-quarantine.

The Jung-gu Office in Daejeon announced the previous day through related materials that lawmaker Hwang, former Mayor Yeom, and one other person each made separate reservations with three other individuals, ordered different food, and paid separately.

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