Illegal Operations Surge in Seoul, Busan, and More
Police Extend Intensive Crackdown by One Week
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police have launched a large-scale crackdown on illegal entertainment establishments that have been a 'blind spot' in COVID-19 quarantine measures, resulting in over 2,000 violators caught in just two weeks.
According to the National Police Agency on the 19th, from the 5th to the 18th of this month, the police deployed 7,467 officers and conducted joint inspections with local governments on 24,211 entertainment venues nationwide. During this process, 370 cases of violations including quarantine guideline breaches and 2,102 individuals were apprehended.
By type, there were 228 cases and 1,836 individuals violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, including violations of gathering bans; 24 cases and 103 individuals violating the Food Sanitation Act; and 117 cases and 148 individuals violating the Music Industry Act. Additionally, 1 case involving 15 individuals was caught violating the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Prostitution.
In Seoul, at around 12:10 a.m. on the 16th, 96 people including the owner and customers were caught at an entertainment bar in Songpa-gu that locked its entrance and operated only for reserved guests. Similarly, at around 11 p.m. on the 15th, 29 people including the owner and employees were caught operating in a similar manner at a karaoke bar in Haeundae-gu, Busan.
Considering the quarantine authorities' request to strengthen comprehensive inspections on illegal operations such as violations of gathering bans at entertainment venues, the police decided to extend the crackdown period by one more week until the 25th of this month. The main targets for the crackdown are ▲ violations of gathering ban orders ▲ violations of quarantine guidelines such as operating beyond restricted hours and failure to prepare electronic entry logs ▲ unlicensed establishments ▲ acts such as selling alcohol and employing hostesses at singing practice rooms. The police plan to focus on effective enforcement and proceed with judicial actions and administrative sanctions through local governments.
As the COVID-19 '4th wave' became a reality, the quarantine authorities issued an administrative order on the 12th to completely ban operations of entertainment establishments in the metropolitan area and Busan.
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