Ban on Gatherings of 5 or More Ignored... 10 Fined for New Year's Party in Apartment

On the 14th, a clear day, a banner enforcing the prohibition of gatherings of five or more people to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is displayed at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Ten people who violated the 'ban on private gatherings of five or more' measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by gathering in an apartment for a New Year's party were fined.

On the 29th, Judge Hwang Seongmin of the Incheon District Court Criminal Division 7 announced that A (29), who was indicted for violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, was fined 2 million won, and nine others including B (30) were each fined 1 million won.

They were indicted for violating the ban on private gatherings of five or more by gathering at an apartment in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, around 10 p.m. on January 2 this year, drinking alcohol and holding a New Year's party.

The ban on private gatherings of five or more was first implemented by administrative order in the Seoul metropolitan area including Seoul and Incheon in December last year to strengthen quarantine management during Christmas and New Year's holidays, and was later expanded nationwide and is still maintained in most regions.

A invited acquaintances to his apartment to celebrate the New Year, and all nine acquaintances were men and women in their 20s and 30s.

Judge Hwang stated, "Acts that violate gathering restrictions to prevent COVID-19 infection can put our society and local communities at great risk," and added, "The defendants must be severely punished for ignoring the ongoing national efforts and sacrifices to prevent the spread of infectious diseases."

However, he explained the sentencing reasons, saying, "The defendants admitted their wrongdoing and showed remorse, and the risk caused by the violation did not materialize."

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