"Please Get a Grip"… Controversy Over 'Quarantine Rule Violations' by Senior Officials in Gangwon-do

Group Meal Split Across Three Tables for About 10 People

Photo by Moon Honam

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Senior officials of the Gangwon Provincial Government and researchers are causing controversy by violating quarantine rules such as the COVID-19 'ban on private gatherings of five or more people.'

According to the Chuncheon City Health Center on the 27th, a report was received around 4 p.m. on the 23rd stating that "about 10 people, including senior officials of the Gangwon Provincial Government command and researchers from the Gangwon Research Institute, violated quarantine rules by having lunch together at a restaurant in Chuncheon."

The city health authorities stated, "Upon visiting the establishment, it was confirmed that a group of about 10 people sat at three separate tables and dined together, violating the quarantine rule of 'ban on private gatherings of five or more people.'"

It was reported that the provincial government officials and researchers moved to the restaurant after finishing a project briefing and dined together.

The city health authorities plan to check whether they completed the Clean Gangwon Passport (electronic entry log) and other entry records, and if violations are found, fines will be imposed.

Since the end of December last year, individuals who violate the 'ban on gatherings of five or more' administrative order must pay a fine of 100,000 KRW, and business owners must pay 1,500,000 KRW.

A health center official said, "Some investigations regarding violations of the ban on gatherings of five or more people have already been conducted," and added, "Investigations on the individual provincial government officials and researchers who dined together are currently underway."

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, Governor Choi Moon-soon urged during a report meeting on autonomous and responsible quarantine measures by related departments, "To stop the current number of confirmed cases and preemptively block the 4th wave of the pandemic, thorough quarantine management measures must be implemented by the related departments."

Governor Choi also emphasized, "As the nation's first Gangwon-type autonomous quarantine system, department heads should cooperate with affiliated organizations and related groups to make the best efforts in field quarantine by profession."

Meanwhile, netizens who learned of their violation have continued to ridicule and criticize them.

Comments such as "It's okay for strangers to eat in groups of four at a restaurant... but not okay to split into groups of four after work, haha, what a funny policy...", "Given the current situation... this is really disgraceful behavior...", and "Why are the robot cops ignoring public officials? Please get your act together" were posted.

A former provincial government official A, who requested anonymity, pointed out, "While the public suffers by following quarantine rules, it is shameful behavior for public officials who should set an example and know better to violate these rules."

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