Nightclub Operating Despite Gathering Ban... Police Arrest 36 People

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The owner, employees, and customers of a nightlife bar that continued operating despite the ban on gatherings at entertainment facilities were caught in large numbers by the police.

According to the police on the 7th, the Songpa Police Station in Seoul apprehended a total of 36 people, including one owner, 30 employees, and 5 customers, at a basement-level nightlife bar in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, at around 8:50 PM the previous day for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. The police decided to hand over the list of names to the local district office.

The police conducted the crackdown by mobilizing a total of 72 officers from the local police station, public order division, criminal investigation team, and riot police after receiving a report that a large entertainment establishment was receiving customers. They stopped customers trying to exit through the back door and confirmed signs of operation inside the bar, such as tables set with alcohol and side dishes. Some employees and customers tried to escape to the 1st and 5th floors of the building to avoid the crackdown but were caught by the police.

Meanwhile, under the social distancing level 2 measures currently in effect in the metropolitan area, the operation of six types of entertainment facilities?including nightlife bars, danran bars, emotional bars, colatecs, hunting pochas, and holdem pubs?has been banned since the 12th of last month. This measure will continue until the 23rd.