"Please Stop Playing" 20s and 30s Hunting Pochas Cause Public Outrage Over COVID-19

Hunting Pocha in Gwangjin-gu, COVID-19 Cluster Infection
Seoul City Launches Full Investigation into Hunting Pocha's Quarantine Rule Violations
Civilians Say "In the COVID Era... Please Stay Quiet"

On the afternoon of October 31, last year, Halloween Day, the area around Bupyeong Theme Street in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon City was bustling with citizens going out. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As COVID-19 continues to spread threateningly, the so-called 'Hunting Pocha-originated' COVID-19 is spreading rapidly. A total of 51 people have been confirmed infected due to a cluster infection at a hunting pocha located in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has imposed a fine of 1.5 million KRW on the restaurant and is considering legal actions such as claiming compensation. As a result, there is an outcry that young people in their 20s and 30s may still be showing insensitivity to COVID-19.

According to Seoul City on the 4th, one user of the restaurant in Gwangjin-gu was first confirmed positive on the 29th of last month, followed by 41 additional infections by the 2nd, and 9 more on the 3rd. This brings the total confirmed cases to 51 (45 in Seoul).

On the 3rd, the confirmed cases included 4 users and 3 family members. Seoul City stated that a total of 1,044 people, including facility staff and contacts, were tested, with 50 testing positive excluding the initial confirmed case, 739 testing negative, and the rest still under examination.

Seoul City said, "As additional confirmed cases have emerged, epidemiological investigations are underway," and "Additional testing is being guided through QR code checks of the facilities used by confirmed cases." The city requested, "Anyone who used 'Pochakkeutpanwang Konkdae Branch' in Gwangjin-gu from January 22 to January 30 must get tested at a public health center screening clinic." In particular, the city plans to strictly deal with 'violations of quarantine rules.'

In Gwangjin-gu, it was confirmed that the manager of 'Pochakkeutpanwang Konkdae Branch,' where the confirmed cases occurred, did not properly enforce 'mask-wearing guidance.' Accordingly, on the previous day (the 3rd), a first warning and a fine of 1.5 million KRW were imposed for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

The nightlife district near Hongdae Entrance in Mapo-gu, Seoul, mainly frequented by young people in their 20s and 30s. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Given the situation, criticism towards young people in their 20s and 30s is growing. There are concerns about why young people are deliberately visiting hunting pochas and spreading COVID-19 when everyone is struggling due to the pandemic.

Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "It is possible to have a good time with friends. However, shouldn't quarantine rules be strictly followed?" expressing frustration. He added, "It is really a nuisance to others."

Another office worker in his 40s, Choi, said, "In the end, isn't it the young people who caused the trouble?" and criticized, "I hope they stop partying." He also pointed out, "If so many get infected with COVID-19, the whole society could come to a halt."

As citizens worry, the more serious aspect of COVID-19 cases caused by young people is that they are often 'asymptomatic COVID-19.' Young people may be infected with COVID-19 but show no symptoms or only mild symptoms, so they may not realize they are infected and can spread the virus to family or acquaintances.

According to health authorities, COVID-19 is contagious from two days before symptom onset during the incubation period without symptoms, up to three days after onset. However, if people do not recognize symptoms during this period and continue activities for 4 to 5 days, the possibility of cluster infections or community spread inevitably increases.

The government stated that asymptomatic COVID-19 cases pose difficulties in related response processes. As so-called 'silent spreaders,' those with asymptomatic or mild symptoms are likely to become sources of infection in the community.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, expressed concerns last November about the ongoing use of hunting pochas by people in their 20s and 30s leading to COVID-19 spread, saying, "A highly infectious period is from two days before symptom onset to three days after. One confirmed case visits at least 10 places," and added, "The more places a confirmed case visits, the more difficult it becomes for public health centers."

Meanwhile, Seoul City announced it will intensify crackdowns on restaurants mainly frequented by young people, such as hunting pochas. Park Yu-mi, Director of the Seoul City Citizen Health Bureau, said, "We are also reviewing specific legal measures regarding the part of the agreement made when the facility changed from an entertainment business to a general restaurant, which states that they will accept claims for compensation if COVID-19 cases occur."

She emphasized, "We will form a rapid response team within the Civil Life Judicial Police Unit and collaborate with the city, autonomous districts, enforcement departments, and police to focus inspections and crackdowns on hunting pochas and emotional pubs." In particular, apart from measures under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, if entertainment activities such as singing or dancing are detected at the establishments, they will be strongly dealt with by filing charges for 'violations of the Food Sanitation Act.'

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