'Controversy Over Hwang Unha's Meal Gathering'... Police Investigation Requested in Complaint

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A complaint has been filed with the police requesting an investigation into whether Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Un-ha violated regulations after a dinner companion tested positive for COVID-19, sparking controversy.

According to the police on the 8th, a recent complaint was submitted through the Daejeon Police Agency's National Petition Board, stating, "We ask for an immediate and strict investigation into allegations that lawmaker Hwang and others violated the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act to dispel public suspicion."

Previously, on December 26 of last year, lawmaker Hwang had dinner at a restaurant in Jung-gu, Daejeon, with former Daejeon Mayor Yeom Hong-cheol and local business figures. Among them, two people excluding lawmaker Hwang tested positive for COVID-19.

At the time, health authorities classified three people at the table next to lawmaker Hwang's group as subjects for testing. Some raised suspicions that lawmaker Hwang and others might have violated the "ban on private gatherings of five or more people" rule from the outset.

In response, Jung-gu Office in Daejeon stated, "Upon on-site verification, the entry times of lawmaker Hwang's group and the neighboring table group were different, the ordered menus were different, and the meal payments were made separately," concluding that there was no issue.

Lawmaker Hwang also stated on his Facebook, "The controversy over violating the ban on gatherings of five or more people is an irresponsible allegation made with an 'if not, then so be it' attitude."

The police plan to ascertain the facts.

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