Dongbu Detention Center to Resume Normal Operations from the 8th if No Additional Confirmed Cases

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As the COVID-19 cluster infection situation at Seoul Eastern Detention Center (Dongbu Detention Center) shows signs of subsiding, the Ministry of Justice has decided to normalize the operation of the facility if no additional confirmed cases emerge.

On the 4th, the Ministry of Justice announced, "Since no further confirmed cases were found in the comprehensive testing at Dongbu Detention Center and Gyeongbuk Northern Second Prison (Cheongsong Prison), we have agreed with the quarantine authorities to normalize the operation of the facilities starting from the 8th." Accordingly, if no additional confirmed cases occur by the 8th, the kitchen will resume normal operations, and inmates will be allowed to resume exercise, bathing, and lawyer visits. Judicial schedules such as trials will also be normalized in coordination with the courts.

The 'social distancing' level within Dongbu Detention Center and Cheongsong Prison, which corresponds to level 3, will be applied in conjunction with the social distancing levels of the local community, similar to other detention facilities.

However, the resumption of intake of new inmates is expected to be discussed and implemented after the normalization of operations, considering the conditions of the detention facilities. Additionally, procedures remain to gradually return inmates who were temporarily housed in nearby detention facilities due to the cluster infection and could not be held at Dongbu Detention Center.

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