'Secret Passage Next to Kindergarten' Unauthorized Entertainment Bar Raided

Suspected Violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and Other Charges

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Thirty-three people, including the owner of an entertainment bar operating without a license by creating a secret passage in the basement of a building next to a kindergarten, were arrested by the police.

According to the police on the 18th, the Suseo Police Station in Seoul filed criminal charges against owner A, employees, and customers for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, among other charges, for operating an unlicensed entertainment bar in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu the day before.

The establishment is accused of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act by operating beyond the permitted business hours, which are restricted until 11 p.m.

A took over the establishment, which had been caught three times last year for unlicensed entertainment bar operations, in early February and illegally operated the unlicensed entertainment bar at the same location. To evade police crackdowns, A used a secret passage between the basement of the building right next to the English kindergarten and the establishment to move entertainment workers and customers.

Based on reports of undetected operations, the police conducted inquiries around the establishment and, at around 11:30 p.m. on the 16th, recorded footage of luxury cars parked nearby and about 20 entertainment workers and over 10 customers entering the premises, then requested support from the local police station.

After subduing the employee who was keeping watch, the police took control of three entrance doors to the entertainment establishment and two basement entrances next to the English kindergarten, then opened the doors with the help of 119 emergency services, arresting 33 people including customers and employees hiding in the basement passage.

When the police began the crackdown, A locked the entrance doors and attempted to destroy evidence by escaping with customers and employees through the secret passage. A also disguised himself as a customer and hid but was caught in the act by the police.

Meanwhile, a police official stated, "In a situation where the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has exceeded 620,000, we will strengthen crackdowns on illegal and decadent establishments that pose a high risk of harming the health, hygiene, and educational environment of young children."

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