On the Day COVID Cases Surpassed 600... Nightlife Lights Still Burning at 10 PM

Caught 12 Places in One Day of Crackdown
Locking Doors and Turning Off Lights to Evade Inspection

'Enter Anytime with Reservation'
Attracting Customers with Promotional Messages

Police: "Hard to Crack Down on Hidden Operations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] After 10 p.m., at a bar in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The entrance of the bar located on the second floor of a sizable building was firmly locked, appearing to have closed for the night. The signboard visible from outside was also turned off. At first glance, it seemed they were strictly following the business restriction rules after 10 p.m. However, when a customer shook the door several times, an employee came out and guided the customers inside. The customers who entered did not come out for over an hour, and the door was locked tightly again.

As COVID-19 cases originating from entertainment bars are surging nationwide, quarantine authorities are tightening crackdowns. Nevertheless, cases of illegal operations ignoring quarantine rules continue unabated. Not only do they operate after 10 p.m. to evade crackdowns, but the ban on gatherings of five or more people is also like a story from another world to them.

According to quarantine authorities, in Seoul, nearly 20 people have tested positive since a confirmed case occurred at an entertainment bar in Gangnam-gu on the 30th of last month. The cluster infection that started at an entertainment bar in Busan has surpassed 300 related confirmed cases as of the 7th.

Given the situation, the police, together with local governments, have been conducting intensive crackdowns on entertainment bars and karaoke bars for two weeks starting from the 5th. On the first day of the crackdown alone, 12 establishments violating quarantine rules were caught in Gangnam-gu, including six entertainment bars and six karaoke bars. The caught businesses are subject to the ‘One Strike Out’ policy, resulting in closure orders, fines, and warnings.

However, as if mocking the crackdown, businesses continue illegal operations. Establishments mainly in the Gangnam area, where a crackdown was previously conducted, are aggressively courting customers by distributing promotional messages stating that “if you make a reservation, entry is possible regardless of the time.” Kim (41, female), who works at an entertainment establishment in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, told reporters over the phone, “We operate as usual after 10 p.m., except we can’t sing,” and explained, “In our industry, these days are called the ‘barley hump’ because the situation is so bad. We know it’s illegal, but we have no choice but to continue operating.”

The reason they can operate ignoring quarantine rules is that they receive customers at second or third locations rather than their original business sites. They decorate officetels or hotel rooms like party rooms and operate there, or use spaces intended for completely different purposes. Kim also said, “If you come nearby and call, I’ll pick you up,” adding, “The location changes daily, so it’s difficult to provide an exact address.”

This is why the police and local governments struggle with crackdowns. A police official explained, “Because they operate secretly in hiding, it’s not even easy to recognize them,” and added, “We will strengthen crackdowns in cooperation with local governments.”

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