"Is This Really Korea?" Dozens Gather in Yangyang for a 'No-Mask Pool Party'... What About Out-of-Town Nightlife?

On the 20th, a post was uploaded on an online community reporting that people were enjoying a party in a pool villa in Yangyang-gun, Gangwon, while violating quarantine rules. Photo by Online Community Capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Recently, as many tourists flock to Yangyang-gun to enjoy expedition nightlife, local residents are expressing their frustration. Yangyang-gun plans to strengthen quarantine rules in preparation for the increase in tourists during the summer season.

On the 20th, a post titled "Did you see the Yangyang COVID party?" was uploaded on an online community, exposing this issue. It reported that a pool party was held on the night of the 17th at a pool villa lounge bar located in Hyeonnam-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon Province. Some tourists took advantage of the fact that Yangyang-gun is still at social distancing level 2 and came from the metropolitan area and other places for expedition nightlife.

Netizens who saw this reacted sharply with comments such as "Is this really Korea?", "Are you sane during the COVID era?", and "Is Yangyang-gun the only COVID clean area?"

Recently, Yangyang-gun is reportedly suffering due to tourists coming for expedition nightlife. The Yangyang-gun office stated, "It is not just the lounge bar in question," adding, "Recently, as many tourists come to Yangyang, where social distancing is relatively low at level 2, complaints about violations of quarantine rules are increasing."

Currently, Yangyang-gun, which is at social distancing level 2, unlike the metropolitan area and nearby Gangneung which have been raised to level 4, allows restaurants, cafes, singing practice rooms, and entertainment facilities to operate until midnight. Private gatherings are also allowed up to 8 people.

In response, the Yangyang-gun office decided to strengthen quarantine rules in preparation for the increasing complaints related to expedition nightlife and the surge of tourists during the summer vacation season. While maintaining social distancing at level 2, the allowed number of people for private gatherings will be limited from the current 8 to 4.

The Yangyang-gun office said, "Originally, under social distancing level 2, private gatherings of up to 8 people are allowed, but from the 19th until the 1st of next month, it will be limited to 4 people," expressing hope that "this strengthening of quarantine rules will help prevent problems such as expedition nightlife."

However, considering the situation of self-employed business owners during the peak summer vacation season, there will be no separate restrictions on business hours. The operating hours of restaurants and cafes in Yangyang-gun will remain until midnight as before.

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