Despite the Risk of Novel Coronavirus, Went on Overseas Training and Took Official Leave... Controversy Over 'Self-Quarantine'

/Photo by MBC Newsdesk broadcast screen capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seong-yeol] Some local government officials and military council chairpersons have sparked controversy after taking European study tours funded by taxpayers and then receiving five days of paid leave citing 'self-quarantine.'

According to an MBC report on the 10th, ten people including the chairpersons of the Boseong and Jangheung County Councils and officials from the Deukryangman and Gangjinman Administrative Council, composed of Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin counties in Jeonnam, departed for overseas training in Portugal and Spain on the 29th of last month.

They left for Europe the day after the COVID-19 crisis level was raised to 'alert' and carried out their schedule over 10 nights and 12 days.

The purpose of this training was the preservation of clean coastal areas and the development of marine tourism programs, but the itinerary included famous inland tourist spots such as Madrid, Toledo, and Cordoba.

It was revealed that those who returned from the training did not come to work throughout this week. They were given five days of paid leave and placed under self-quarantine, citing the risk of COVID-19 infection after returning from Europe.

With even the military council chairperson under self-quarantine, the Jangheung County Council held its first extraordinary session without the chairperson.

During this training, the chairpersons of the Boseong and Jangheung County Councils received travel expenses amounting to 12 million won, including business class airfare, and the eight accompanying officials reportedly spent about 40 million won.