[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Amid a surge in new COVID-19 cases, numerous illegal entertainment establishments in Seoul have been caught.
According to the police on the 26th, around 11 p.m. the previous day, 30 people including owner A (58) and 29 customers were caught at a singing practice room in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, for violating gathering restriction measures. The police responded to a report stating that "the singing practice room was continuing to receive customers after 10 p.m." When officers entered the premises, it was reported that customers were drinking and singing, enjoying entertainment.
Some of the customers tried to escape by protesting to the police or hiding in the restroom with various excuses, but all were apprehended. The police plan to investigate all of them on charges including violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
At around 5 a.m. on the 26th, two illegal entertainment bars operating until dawn were caught in a building in Garak-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. The two establishments operated with their doors locked, so no signs of activity were visible from outside. When police officers, along with firefighters, opened the doors and investigated the scene, a total of 22 people were caught, including two owners, one employee, and 19 customers. The police stated that they notified the relevant district office of the violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
A police official said, "We will continue to respond with full force to 112 reports related to violations of quarantine rules to prevent the spread of infectious diseases."
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