Gwangju Police Strictly Investigate Violators of 'COVID-19' Quarantine Measures

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 4th that it will strictly investigate violators of COVID-19 quarantine measures in accordance with the revised Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

Starting from the 5th, the penalty provisions for violators of quarantine measures under the "Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act" will be strengthened from the previous "a fine of up to 3 million won" to "imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to 10 million won."

Accordingly, the Gwangju police plan to actively investigate and strictly prosecute confirmed cases of quarantine violations without waiting for complaints from health authorities.

Until now, they have actively cooperated with health authorities' requests to verify the whereabouts of self-quarantine violators and initiated investigations upon complaints. However, with the penalty provisions strengthened and a significant increase in infections caused by overseas entrants, they judged that more proactive measures are necessary to block the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The Gwangju police have currently apprehended two individuals, including those refusing hospitalization treatment and violating self-quarantine orders, and have sent them to the prosecution with a non-custodial indictment opinion.

A representative of the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency said, "In this national disaster situation, we will cooperate actively with health authorities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and alleviate citizens' anxiety," and added, "We ask citizens to also actively cooperate and demonstrate mature civic consciousness."