40s Prosecuted for Swearing and Causing Disturbance on Subway After Being Asked to Wear a Mask

Suspect causing mask disturbance on Line 1 attending warrant hearing. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon]The Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Gyeongjin) announced on the 4th that a man in his 40s, Mr. A, was indicted without detention on charges of obstructing business for causing a disturbance and delaying subway operations after refusing to wear a mask upon another passenger's request.

Mr. A is accused of verbally abusing and causing a commotion inside a train passing near Oryu-dong Station on Seoul Subway Line 1 on June 23, delaying the train operation for about 7 minutes after being asked by another passenger to wear a mask.

Although Mr. A later received a mask from station staff at Guro Station, he refused to wear it and continued to verbally abuse other passengers. Despite the station staff's request to get off, he demanded a refund and did not comply.

After getting off the train, Mr. A continued to cause a disturbance by shouting at station staff and was arrested on the spot by the police.

The police stated, "The incident is serious as the train was stopped for 7 minutes due to Mr. A's disturbance," and applied for an arrest warrant. However, the court dismissed it, stating, "Mr. A has pledged to wear a mask going forward and claimed he did not wear one due to health reasons, so there is no necessity for detention."

After the pre-arrest hearing, Mr. A said, "Even though I said I could not wear a mask because of high blood pressure, passengers scolded me," and added, "I regret my overreaction."