"Overnight Drinking Beyond Business Hours" Numerous Violations Reported on First Weekend of Strengthened Quarantine Measures

Gyeongnam Police Agency is cracking down on business owners and customers who violated quarantine rules. [Image source=Gyeongnam Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Owners and customers of entertainment facilities who violated the COVID-19 quarantine rules were caught in large numbers.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 21st that 33 people were caught violating quarantine rules during the first weekend after the strengthening of quarantine measures.

The police inspected 167 establishments, including entertainment facilities, in cooperation with city and county officials in the province over two days from the 18th to the 19th.

As a result of the crackdown, at around 12:40 a.m. on the 18th, four people including the owner and customers of A Noraebang (karaoke room) were caught violating quarantine rules following a report (112 call) that the establishment was operating past 9 p.m.

Also, at around 1 a.m. on the same day, four people including the owner of B pub were caught for the same violation.

On the 19th, at around 9:30 a.m., twelve people including the owner, employees, and customers were caught at a Hold'em pub where they had been drinking and playing games overnight since the previous day.

If operators of multi-use facilities such as entertainment venues and Noraebang violate operating hour restrictions, they may face fines of up to 3 million won and suspension or cancellation of their business license, and users may also be subject to criminal penalties.

A police official stated, “We plan to conduct special security activities as we expect cases of quarantine rule violations during year-end and New Year’s events.”

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