"Everyone Must Self-Quarantine" - 40s Individual Fined for Causing Disturbance and Hugging Clinic Staff

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] A man in his 40s who caused a disturbance by hugging a public health center employee in dissatisfaction over being placed under self-quarantine at a screening clinic in Incheon was sentenced to a fine.

The Incheon District Court Criminal Division 4 (Judge Yoon Minwook) announced on the 14th that it sentenced A (46), who was indicted on charges of obstructing official duties, to a fine of 5 million won.

The court stated the sentencing reasons, saying, "The act of obstructing official duties is highly condemnable as it can foster a disregard for legal order and public authority, and there is a need for strict punishment," but also "considering comprehensively that A admitted to the crime and reflected on his wrongdoing, and that the victim public officials did not wish for punishment."

A was brought to trial on charges of threatening and causing a disturbance to obstruct official duties at the screening clinic of Seo-gu Public Health Center in Incheon at around 10:05 a.m. on February 28.

At that time, he threatened employee B, who was collecting specimens, by saying, "If it hurts, I will hit you," while making a fist. Another employee, C, who witnessed the scene, sent A home.

However, A, dissatisfied with being placed under self-quarantine, said, "If I test positive, all of you should be placed under self-quarantine," then hugged and pulled the employee's torso, causing a disturbance for about 10 minutes.

Investigations revealed that A had a history of multiple punishments related to violent crimes, including similar offenses.

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