Portable tables on mats... No enforcement by quarantine authorities
Joint crackdown with 4 departments... "Drinking outdoors is not illegal, so enforcement is difficult"
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Although the daily number of new COVID-19 cases has remained in the four digits for nearly 100 days, Peace Plaza, a representative tourist spot in Mokpo, has been drawing criticism as people holding liquor bottles gather on the lawn without masks on weekend nights, turning it into an all-night drinking party.
Since the implementation of Level 3 social distancing in non-metropolitan areas on July 27 due to the fourth wave of COVID-19, Peace Plaza has become even more crowded.
With business hours restricted until 10 p.m., crowds spilling out from nearby restaurants and bars often continue their drinking gatherings at Peace Plaza.
Although mask-wearing is mandatory both outdoors and indoors, and a 2-meter distancing rule is in place, men and women of all ages, including foreigners, enjoy late-night entertainment without observing these measures.
On the 11th, confirmed cases surged nationwide. Looking at the regions where cases were reported that day, the metropolitan area accounted for 928 cases (72.8%), non-metropolitan areas 346 cases (27.2%), and Jeonnam reported 8 confirmed cases.
The domestic fourth wave, which began in early July, has continued for over three months. Daily confirmed cases have recorded four digits for 97 consecutive days since July 7, when 1,211 cases were reported; the 12th will mark the 98th day.
From the 5th to the 11th, the number of new daily confirmed cases were 1,574 → 2,027 → 2,425 → 2,175 → 1,953 → 1,594 → 1,297, with three days exceeding 2,000 cases.
Especially in Mokpo and nearby areas, cases have not decreased, yet Peace Plaza becomes a brightly lit hub after 10 p.m., with no enforcement actions from the authorities.
In the early morning of the 10th, people are gathered on the deck of Peace Square, drinking alcohol. Photo by Asia Economy
Kim, a resident near Peace Plaza, said, “Every night after 10 p.m., people gather so densely that there’s no room to step, drinking until dawn,” adding, “It’s a complete chaos with fireworks, public urination, and physical fights.”
He continued, “Now there’s no enforcement at all, so social distancing is completely ignored,” and urged, “Mokpo City must ensure thorough management to avoid fixing the barn after losing the cow.”
The situation worsens especially by 5 a.m. The mats laid out for drinking are scattered with liquor bottles, paper cups, chicken, snack bags, and all kinds of food waste, while cigarette butts overflow everywhere, making the no-smoking banners at Peace Plaza meaningless.
In response, a Mokpo city official stated, “We are conducting joint enforcement with four departments, and the sea fountain staff take turns inspecting and educating through broadcasts, but since drinking outdoors is not illegal, enforcement is difficult,” adding, “We will manage more strictly in the future and do our best to prevent any violations of quarantine rules.”
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