Seoul's 'Ban on Gatherings of 5 or More' Nears 1,300 Reports to 112... "Active Measures Against Intentional Violations"

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Chief Press Conference
Investigation of Park Won-soon "Limitations in Conclusion Due to Suspect's Death"

On the 23rd, when special quarantine measures banning all private gatherings of five or more people were implemented in the Seoul metropolitan area, a sign reading "Only up to 4 people allowed" was posted at the entrance of a restaurant in downtown Seoul. From the 24th, the ban on gatherings of five or more will be extended to restaurants nationwide, and cancellations or refraining from private gatherings will be strongly recommended. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Since the administrative order banning gatherings of five or more people in the Seoul metropolitan area at the end of last year, approximately 1,200 related 112 reports have been received by the police.

Jang Ha-yeon, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press conference on the 4th, "From midnight on December 23rd last year to midnight today, a total of 1,294 112 reports related to the administrative order banning gatherings of five or more people were received."

The types of reports were mainly 'risk prevention' cases, including gatherings of five or more people or suspected violations of COVID-19 business restrictions, totaling 818 cases, the highest number. This was followed by 228 consultation inquiries and 164 noise complaints. The police took on-site action for 764 cases, closed consultations for 374 cases, and notified related agencies such as district offices for 120 cases.

Additionally, the Seoul Police investigated a total of 38 cases related to the production and distribution of false and fabricated information about COVID-19, closing 31 cases and arresting 45 individuals. Commissioner Jang emphasized, "We will actively take measures against acts that deliberately violate quarantine rules and do our best to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections."

Meanwhile, regarding the failure to properly investigate the sexual harassment allegations against the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, Commissioner Jang said, "The testimonies of the witnesses conflicted with each other, and due to two rejections of warrants, forensic analysis of the phone was impossible, making it difficult to find direct evidence. Above all, since the suspect died, it was impossible to verify the facts, which limited reaching a clear conclusion."

In response to criticism that the explanation of the circumstances surrounding former Mayor Park's death was insufficient, he explained, "According to laws and regulations, the circumstances of a deceased person’s death are not disclosed in principle to protect the honor of the deceased and their bereaved family and to prevent secondary damage. The circumstances of this death could be related to the leak of the accusation facts, and the prosecution investigation was ongoing at the time."

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