Joo Ho-young: "Poor Response to Choo Is the Cause"... Visit to Dongbu Detention Center Amid 'COVID-19 Cluster Infection'

Autumn, Prosecuted for Neglecting COVID-19 Response

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 6th, the People Power Party conducted an urgent on-site visit to Seoul Eastern Detention Center to investigate the truth behind the COVID-19 cluster infection incident. This was an action aimed at highlighting the Moon Jae-in administration’s ‘K-quarantine failure.’

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, visited the Eastern Detention Center that day and, after receiving a report on the COVID-19 situation from on-site officials, told reporters, “I have learned that the response by the Ministry of Justice, including Minister Choo Mi-ae, was very inadequate, and that this was the cause of the mass infection,” adding, “We must hold them accountable.”

Floor leader Joo said, “We waited quite a long time, worried that our visit might interfere with resolving the Eastern Detention Center cluster infection incident. However, due to many citizens’ demands to properly uncover the truth, we decided to visit,” and added, “I am frustrated because we still have not received a proper answer as to why such a cluster infection occurred and how it can be prevented.” He emphasized, “We will ensure more thorough checks and supervision so that such mistakes never happen again in correctional facilities nationwide.”

At a meeting between the floor leaders and the Judiciary Committee members the previous day, Floor leader Joo stated, “President Moon Jae-in should apologize for the Ministry of Justice’s cover-up of the incident and the delayed response, as well as the lack of countermeasures by the authorities. Clear civil and criminal responsibility must be held against Minister Choo and other responsible parties,” and added, “The People Power Party is receiving reports on the damage related to the Eastern Detention Center and is willing to support various lawsuits against the state if necessary.”

Members of the People Power Party belonging to the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a press conference on the 6th, stating, “Today, we will file a complaint with the prosecution against Minister Choo and related officials for professional negligence, gross negligence causing death or injury, and dereliction of duty,” adding, “They failed to properly manage the isolation and detention of COVID-19 infected individuals at Seoul Eastern Detention Center under the Ministry of Justice, thereby failing to properly protect the human rights and lives of detainees, resulting in one death and 1,085 infections as of the 5th.”

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