GD smokes while wearing a mask below the chin ('Tukseukeu')
Some citizens file complaints to Seoul City...Netizens debate "Isn't this a violation of quarantine rules?"
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Amid dating rumors involving group Big Bang's G-Dragon (GD) and BLACKPINK's Jennie on the 24th, it has been reported that a citizen filed a complaint alleging that G-Dragon's 'street smoking' violated quarantine rules. The citizen, Mr. A, who reported the incident, stated through an online community, citing related news photos, "In the photo, G-Dragon appears to be wearing a 'mask under the chin' (known as 'teokseukeu'), which suggests that the smoking took place after mask-wearing became mandatory due to COVID-19," and filed a complaint with the Seoul city government for violating quarantine rules.
Mr. A explained, "The quarantine authorities classify tobacco as a luxury food item, and since it involves food consumption, mask-wearing orders are exempted during smoking," but added, "Smoking refers to smoking in designated areas such as smoking zones," as stated in the announced quarantine guidelines. He further emphasized, "It is advisable to keep a distance of at least 2 meters from others and avoid conversations while smoking, and masks should be worn before and after smoking." He requested that Seoul city thoroughly investigate the location and circumstances of G-Dragon's smoking and strictly handle any confirmed violations of quarantine rules.
A netizen posted a photo on an online community on the morning of the 24th. The netizen reportedly filed a complaint claiming that G-Dragon, a member of the groups Big Bang and BLACKPINK, violated quarantine rules while smoking, in relation to a photo reported by a media outlet about the dating rumors between G-Dragon and Jennie. Photo by Online Community
In the photo inserted in the media report on the 24th about GD and Jennie's dating rumors, GD is seen holding a cigarette in his right hand while wearing a mask lowered below his chin, known as 'teokseukeu,' which is against COVID-19 mask-wearing protocols. Netizens expressed doubts about whether this was a violation of quarantine rules, commenting, "GD smoking with mask under chin, not sure if this violates quarantine rules," "I don't understand why he took off the mask," and "I wonder if this is a permitted smoking area."
According to quarantine rules, authorities recognize that "tobacco is classified as a luxury food item, so mask-wearing orders are exempted during smoking," but also explain that "it is advisable to keep a distance of at least 2 meters from others and avoid conversations while smoking, and masks should be worn before and after smoking."
On the same day, reports emerged that G-Dragon and Jennie have been dating for a year. Their dating location is mainly known to be a villa in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where G-Dragon resides. Regarding this, YG Entertainment stated about the two singers involved in the dating rumors, "The company cannot confirm the artists' personal lives. We ask for your understanding."
◆ New COVID-19 Cases on the 24th Reach Mid-400s
Meanwhile, as the spread of COVID-19 continues domestically, the number of new confirmed cases on the 24th reached the mid-400s. This is about 80 more than the previous day (23rd), marking a return to the 400s for the first time in three days since the 21st (416 cases).
Concerns are rising that the scale of confirmed cases may increase further due to cluster infections centered around family gatherings during the Lunar New Year holiday and workplaces, as well as the possible effects of eased social distancing measures. The government plans to announce adjustments to social distancing measures as early as the 26th, based on the trend of patient occurrences.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 24th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases increased by 440 from the previous day to 88,120.
There were 417 domestic cases and 23 imported cases. Community infections were reported as follows: Seoul 138, Gyeonggi 137, Gwangju 35, Daegu and Incheon 17 each, Gyeongbuk 15, Busan 13, Chungnam 12, Gangwon 9, Jeonbuk 8, Gyeongnam 7, Daejeon, Sejong, and Jeju 2 each, and Ulsan, Chungbuk, and Jeonnam 1 each.
Among the 23 imported cases, 10 were nationals and 13 were foreigners. Four cases were confirmed during airport and port quarantine, and 19 were confirmed while in isolation within the community.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 increased by 3, bringing the total to 1,576 as of this date. The case fatality rate among confirmed cases is approximately 1.79%.
The number of patients released from isolation after treatment increased by 656 to 79,050, with the release rate among confirmed cases at 89.71%. The number of patients currently in isolation and receiving treatment decreased by 219 from the previous day to 7,494. The number of severe and critical patients decreased by 8 from the previous day to 140.
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