Police Crack Down on Illegal Nightclubs in Succession... Multiple Violations of Gathering Ban Confirmed (Comprehensive)

Photo by Seoul Seocho Police Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] An entertainment establishment that had been caught twice in the past for violating gathering ban orders was once again caught operating illegally by the police.

According to the police on the 8th, the Seocho Police Station in Seoul apprehended 53 people, including the owner in his 50s, Shin Mo, 30 employees, and 22 customers, at around 10:20 PM the previous day at an underground first-floor entertainment bar in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu. It was confirmed that the establishment had already been caught twice for violating the gathering ban orders.

Shin and others operated the business by admitting reserved customers through a membership system, allowing them to enjoy entertainment while drinking with hostesses. Additionally, the establishment was found to have secretly brought customers into the parking lot through long-distance pickups. The police conducted the crackdown by surveilling around the establishment and collaborating with CCTV operators from the Seocho District Office control center to monitor the comings and goings of customers and female employees.

The police notified the district office about the violation of quarantine rules by those apprehended and are expected to investigate them on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. Furthermore, an investigation into the illegal profits of the establishment is underway.

In Gangnam-gu, the illegal operation of an entertainment establishment was uncovered after a woman who tested positive for COVID-19 stated during an epidemiological investigation that she had visited the venue. However, the woman reportedly claimed that she was not employed in the entertainment industry.

The Suseo Police Station, in cooperation with the district office, conducted a crackdown and apprehended 19 people, including the owner Heo Mo, 15 employees, and 3 customers, at an underground entertainment bar in Yeoksam-dong around 11 PM the previous day. The establishment was found to have violated the gathering ban orders twice this year but continued to operate.

In Garak-dong, Songpa-gu, an illegal karaoke practice room was caught operating unlawfully. On the 8th at around 12:30 AM, Songpa Police responded to a 112 emergency call and apprehended 21 people, including the owner, one employee, and 19 customers, on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. The owner was also charged with violating the Music Industry Promotion Act (providing alcoholic beverages).

At the time of the raid, both the front and back doors of the establishment were locked, but the police confirmed that the water meter outside the building was operating and forcibly opened the entrance to apprehend those inside.

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