Deliberate Ignoring of Quarantine Rules... Majority Are Men in Their 50s and 60s
Spitting on Health Center Staff and Escaping Hospital, Causing Disturbances on Public Transport
Experts Say "Divisive Words Only Deepen Social Conflicts"
Cases of deliberately violating quarantine authorities' prevention guidelines have recently become frequent, and some point out that most of these individuals are men aged 50 and 60 or older, often expressing derogatory or mocking remarks about them. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kim Seul-gi] As cases of ignoring the enforcement of public authority for COVID-19 prevention measures have recently occurred one after another, some circles have started mocking these individuals by calling them 'Oryuknam.' 'Oryuknam' is a newly coined term referring to men in their 50s and 60s, with the criticism that most people who disregard COVID-19 prevention rules are 'Oryuknam.' Some argue that this criticism is excessive. Experts say it can be seen as a form of division, which could worsen social conflicts.
According to Daegu City on the 16th, a man in his 60s was caught by the police for violating the self-quarantine request by the quarantine authorities and using the high-speed train (KTX). After being diagnosed with COVID-19, the man turned off his mobile phone and boarded the KTX bound for Busan departing from Seoul Station. He was later apprehended by railway police and quarantine authorities on the train when it stopped at Dongdaegu Station.
Earlier last month, a man in his 50s, Mr. A, a member of Sarang Jeil Church who attended the 'Liberation Day rally,' escaped from a hospital in Paju. According to Paju City, Mr. A crawled on the floor under the nurses' workspace and moved to the exit door to escape the hospital.
At that time, Mr. A was reported to have made irrational claims such as "poisoning kimchi soup," which angered citizens as it caused hardship for medical staff working hard on quarantine efforts.
In Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, in the same month, a couple in their 50s caused a disturbance by hugging and spitting on a public health center worker who requested a COVID-19 test.
The couple, who had attended the 'Liberation Day rally' and were aware that they were subjects for testing, caused a disturbance by saying to the health center worker requesting the specimen, "Why are only we being tested?" and "Since you contacted us, you should get tested too."
On the 27th of last month, a passenger in his 50s who was not wearing a mask on the Seoul subway assaulted another passenger who requested him to wear a mask. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 27th of last month, an incident occurred on the Seoul subway where a man in his 50s violently slapped another male passenger who asked him to wear a mask.
Also, earlier this month, a middle-aged man who was talking on the phone without wearing a mask on the Seoul subway raised his voice and cursed when another passenger told him to wear a mask, saying, "What did I do wrong?"
During the argument, the man lost his temper and tried to swing an umbrella he was holding but was stopped by another passenger.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, 141 cases of 'conflicts over maskless passengers boarding public transportation' were reported, resulting in the arrest of 151 people. Among those arrested, 45 (30%) were aged 60 or older, and 38 (25%) were in their 50s, meaning half were middle-aged or older. Additionally, 135 (89%) of those arrested were male.
Citizens expressed their displeasure. Park, a 30-year-old office worker, said, "Fatigue has increased as COVID-19 has prolonged, and it is indeed more irritating to hear about people ignoring quarantine rules. And most of them are men in their 50s and 60s. Honestly, when I see on the news that it's men in their 50s and 60s, I think, 'Again?'"
Around 6:50 PM on the 3rd of this month, a middle-aged man (right) shouted without wearing a mask and was about to swing an umbrella inside a Gyeongui-Jungang Line train. Photo by Yonhap News
Experts analyzed that while physical aging starting from middle age makes it difficult to follow quarantine rules, a so-called 'kkondae psychology'?an attitude of being right because of age?also plays a role.
Professor Kwak Geum-ju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said, "Older generations have a vested interest psychology, the so-called 'kkondae psychology,' thinking 'I've lived this long, so I know better.' They compare their youth with the present and have significant dissatisfaction with society overall, which seems to cause this phenomenon." She added, "Physically, aging can make wearing masks difficult. Compared to younger people, they may get out of breath more easily when wearing masks."
Professor Kwak pointed out, "As COVID-19 prolongs, people seem to feel fatigue and anger easily in daily life. However, destroying social order or norms can lead to criminal acts, so restraint is necessary."
She continued, "Terms like 'Oryuknam' exacerbate social polarization, so it is appropriate to refrain from using them. Such division deepens social conflicts and causes further fragmentation." She expressed concern, saying, "Once such terms emerge, they create conformity and imitation psychology, leading to a vicious cycle."
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