Club Caught Hosting Group Party Until Dawn Taking Advantage of 'Social Distancing Relaxation' in Gwangju

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Taking advantage of the easing of social distancing measures, a club in Gwangju was caught holding parties until dawn targeting many foreigners.

The Gwangju Immigration Office announced on the 6th that it conducted guidance activities on the 5th at an underground pub near a foreigner-dense area in Sanjeong-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

The Gwangju Immigration Office received prior information that, following the recent lowering of social distancing in the Gwangju area to level 1.5 and the relaxation of business hour restrictions, many foreigners including Mongolian nationals were renting an underground pub to hold group parties until 5 a.m.

Along with the police and local government agencies, they visited the club to conduct an on-site investigation regarding violations of quarantine rules and dispersed groups of five or more people.

In addition, they provided guidance on free special COVID-19 testing for foreigners and exemption from the obligation to report illegal stay.

A representative from the Gwangju Immigration Office stated, “This guidance activity was conducted to prevent similar cases like the Itaewon club-related group infections in the past, amid growing social concern about group infections among foreigners. Whether quarantine rules were violated will be confirmed by the local government, which plans to impose fines. We will continue to conduct guidance and inspections in foreigner-dense areas to prevent foreigner misconduct in advance.”