Citizen Group Urges Oh Se-hoon to Revoke Decision Not to Impose Fine on Kim Eo-jun

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Judicial Examination Preparation Group (Sajunmo) has requested newly appointed Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to revoke ex officio the decision by Mapo District not to impose a fine on broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who is suspected of violating quarantine rules banning gatherings of five or more people.

On the 8th, Sajunmo urged "Mayor Oh, who has recently taken office, to promptly make a decision on this matter." According to Sajunmo, the Seoul Metropolitan Government sent a response to Sajunmo the day before the re-election, stating that "a legal review is needed regarding whether Mapo District's decision not to impose a fine constitutes an administrative disposition and whether ex officio cancellation is possible, along with sufficient time to review interpretations from relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare concerning the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act."

This response followed a petition submitted by Sajunmo to Seoul City via the National Petition Portal in March, requesting that "if Mapo District's decision not to impose a fine legally constitutes a disposition, the higher administrative authority, Seoul City, should revoke it ex officio; if it does not constitute a disposition, Seoul City should impose a fine based on its own judgment."

Earlier, seven people related to the News Factory, including Mr. Kim, were suspected of violating quarantine rules by holding a gathering on January 19 at a cafe in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Regarding this, Seoul City notified Mapo District in writing in February that "the gathering violated administrative orders and is subject to fines," but Mapo District delayed its decision for 58 days after the incident and ultimately decided not to impose a fine.

On this day, Sajunmo emphasized, "As the fourth wave of COVID-19 approaches, the longer Seoul City, the higher authority over Mapo District Office, delays concluding this matter, the greater the risk of undermining the authority of quarantine authorities," adding, "Inconsistent responses by quarantine authorities to cases where well-known figures like Kim Eo-jun and ordinary citizens violate quarantine rules may cause public distrust."