After Bars Close, Crowds Spill onto the Streets... 'Nosang Sulpan' After 10 PM on Seoul's Friday Nights

Many people are gathered and drinking near Cheonggyecheon, where drinking alcohol is prohibited, as it approaches 11 PM.
[Photo by Channel A]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Recently, the number of new COVID-19 cases has once again reached the 700s after ten days, showing a continued spread. However, concerns are rising over the relaxed awareness of quarantine measures, as scenes of people gathering densely on the streets to drink even after 10 p.m. have been captured.

According to a Channel A report on the 5th, when bars and restaurants closed after 10 p.m. due to the Level 2 social distancing measures, scenes were captured of people densely gathered inside alleys filled with bars, refusing to leave their spots.

Liquor stores that remain open past midnight see a continuous flow of customers buying alcohol, and Channel A reported that many people approach others attempting spontaneous meetings to find drinking companions.

Additionally, the number of convenience store drinkers (those drinking at tables in front of convenience stores) avoiding the business hour restrictions after 10 p.m. is increasing. As nearby bars close one by one, they take seats at outdoor tables of convenience stores and continue their drinking gatherings.

However, convenience stores belong to the free business category and are not subject to business hour restrictions. Despite the high risk of COVID-19 infection due to drinking parties similar to regular bars, legal sanctions cannot be imposed.

Even amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19, drinking and eating in violation of quarantine rules continue late into the night in various places. There are also many establishments caught violating quarantine guidelines by operating after the 10 p.m. business ban, raising growing concerns.

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