Police Crack Down on Illegal Late-Night Businesses on First Day of Level 4 Social Distancing in Seoul Metropolitan Area

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] From the first day of the implementation of the Level 4 social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area, which prohibits gatherings of three or more people after 6 p.m., establishments operating illegally were caught by the police.

According to the police on the 13th, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul cracked down on 33 people, including a 40-year-old business owner Mr. A and customers, for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act at a karaoke bar in Yeoksam-dong around 10:40 p.m. the previous day.

When the police and fire authorities tried to forcibly open the establishment’s door, Mr. A opened it voluntarily. A police official stated, "We confirmed the personal information of a total of 33 people including the owner and customers, and we plan to notify the district office so that they can file charges and impose fines."

The Songpa Police Station also cracked down on karaoke bars, entertainment bars, and singing rooms in the Garak-dong area from around 9:30 p.m. on the 12th until about 3 a.m. the next day, catching a total of 31 people including three business owners, two employees, two hostesses, and 24 customers.

Among the places caught, the karaoke bar employed entertainment hostesses, and the singing rooms were confirmed to have sold alcohol. A Songpa Police official said, "All those caught will be charged with violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and the establishments operating illegally will be referred to the district office for administrative measures."

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