Dongbu Detention Center to Resume Normal Operations in Two Weeks if No Additional Confirmed Cases Occur

Currently Housing 940 Inmates, Separated Across 6 Correctional Facilities

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government announced on the 22nd that it plans to normalize operations at Dongbu Detention Center if no additional COVID-19 cases occur for two weeks following the cluster infection outbreak.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), the Ministry of Justice will proceed with normalizing the detention center's operations if no new confirmed cases arise two weeks after the last confirmed case at Dongbu Detention Center. Once normalized, the kitchen will operate normally, and inmates will resume activities such as exercise, bathing, and meetings with lawyers. Judicial schedules, including trials, will also return to normal in coordination with the courts.

However, to prevent any potential additional infections, confirmed cases, close contacts, and those who tested negative will be housed separately for the time being. Additionally, only some of the inmates dispersed to other facilities will be returned to maintain appropriate inmate numbers and density.

On the 20th, Dongbu Detention Center conducted a full inspection of approximately 1,000 people, including about 500 inmates and 529 staff members, all of whom tested negative. If no additional confirmed cases emerge in subsequent tests, the detention center will be able to normalize operations after two weeks.

Since a staff member was first confirmed positive in November last year, colleagues and inmates at Dongbu Detention Center have consecutively tested positive for COVID-19. Over ten rounds of full inspections, about 1,200 related COVID-19 cases were identified.

As a result, Dongbu Detention Center has reduced density by dispersing 940 inmates to six correctional facilities.