[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] A poker tournament, which has been carried out in defiance of the authorities' administrative order banning gatherings due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation, continued for two consecutive days in Cheongju. Cheongju City is reportedly considering filing charges against the organizers who violated the order.
According to Cheongju City on the 5th, the poker tournament organizers moved the venue and held the tournament for two consecutive days starting from 1 p.m. Cheongju City issued a gathering restriction administrative order again on this day and strictly controlled the entry of participants except for players and staff. Health center staff were stationed on-site to manage the situation, including creating lists, checking for fever, and attaching fever measurement stickers.
Cheongju City issued a gathering ban order to the tournament organizers the previous day. However, they proceeded with the tournament, stating they were willing to face charges and claims for damages. Cheongju City viewed the tournament as vulnerable to infectious diseases due to its nature of requiring prolonged stays in enclosed spaces and thus issued the gathering ban administrative order. The organizers maintained their position that it was not gambling for profit and that they would pay attention to quarantine measures.
The organizers initially promised to cancel the tournament but changed the venue and proceeded with the first day’s event, drawing criticism. Cheongju City is reportedly considering filing charges against the organizers who violated the gathering ban order under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
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