Jindo-gun, Controversy Over Cruise Ship Launch Ceremony Amid This Situation for 'Violation of Event Ban'

Jindo Police Station "Reviewing Violation of Infectious Disease Prevention Act"

Jindo-gun "Judging Violation of Infectious Disease Prevention Act is Excessive"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] As the summer vacation season arrives and COVID-19 enters another major outbreak phase, the entire country, including the government, has escalated social distancing to Level 3, putting everyone on high alert. Amid this, Jindo-gun in Jeollanam-do has become embroiled in controversy over violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

According to Jindo-gun on the 5th, on the morning of the 30th of last month at 10 a.m., a tourist cruise ship launching ceremony was held at Shwimi Port in Jindo-eup, attended by Lee Dong-jin, the head of Jindo-gun, county council members, public officials, and local community organization representatives.

Jindo-gun boasts the beautiful scenery of the Dadohae Sea and natural wonders such as Sebang Sunset, but has lacked proper maritime tourism infrastructure until now, so the launch of this tourist cruise ship has been warmly welcomed.

However, during the event, attendees including Lee Dong-jin, the head of the county, became embroiled in controversy over violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. It is known that the police who observed the scene inquired about related matters with Jindo-gun.

On the 5th, the Jindo Police Station stated, “To prevent the COVID-19 pandemic, the government raised social distancing to Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas, completely banning events and gatherings with more than 50 people. We are currently investigating whether the number of people at the Shwimi Port event venue and surrounding areas exceeded 50.”

After receiving notification from the police, Jindo-gun explained, “It is difficult to judge this as a violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.”

A Jindo-gun official explained, “There were officially 21 people attending the event that day, about 15 of whom were seated, and the rest were people waiting to board boats at Shwimi Port and local residents watching nearby.”

Park (38), a resident of Jindo-eup, said, “Although the government raised social distancing to Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas on the 27th of last month to prevent the spread of COVID-19, confirmed cases continue to appear in Jindo. In this situation, there are many problems with Jindo-gun’s administration for holding an event knowing many people would gather.”

Jindo-gun has been under sharp criticism both locally and externally, as this incident adds to previous controversies, including negligence during emergency duties amid heavy rains earlier last month and delays in national fund execution for the invasive seaweed Sargassum horneri, raising concerns about lax public service discipline.

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