Ministry of Justice Lifts Quarantine for All COVID-19 Positive Inmates in Correctional Facilities

Seoul Eastern Detention Center, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred, will conduct the 6th round of comprehensive testing for staff and inmates on January 5. Tension is running high at the Eastern Detention Center on this day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The Ministry of Justice lifted the quarantine measures for all inmates who tested positive for COVID-19 on the 5th, 82 days after a mass infection occurred in correctional facilities.

The Ministry of Justice announced that all infected inmates have been released from quarantine, with the last three inmates at Seoul Nambu Prison being cleared.

The Ministry of Justice stated that after the mass infection in correctional facilities, they formed a COVID-19 response team for correctional facilities and strengthened quarantine measures such as dispersal transfers to control inmate density, operation of residential treatment centers, nationwide testing of correctional facilities, and extension of quarantine periods for new inmates. As a result, no additional confirmed cases have occurred in correctional facilities since the 7th of last month.

Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, said, "Through organic cooperation with health authorities, we were able to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within correctional facilities," and added, "I sincerely thank Cheongsong County and local residents, staff of Gyeongbuk Northern Second Prison, who actively cooperated in housing confirmed cases, and everyone who supported us with quarantine supplies."

The Ministry of Justice stated, "We will do our best to prevent infectious diseases in correctional facilities by promptly administering vaccinations to staff and inmates to achieve herd immunity."

Although the Ministry of Justice strengthened its COVID-19 response and prevented additional confirmed cases, it appears difficult for the Ministry to avoid responsibility in damage compensation lawsuits filed by inmates and their families who tested positive due to the Ministry and correctional authorities' inadequate response during the early stages of the mass infection at Seoul Eastern Detention Center.