"Park Beom-gye Visits Hongseong Prison Amid 'Group Infection': 'Apologies to the Public... 197 Unconfirmed Cases Urgently Transferred'"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is visiting Hongseong Prison in Chungnam on the afternoon of the 13th for an on-site inspection. According to correctional authorities, after one new inmate tested positive for COVID-19 on the 11th, mass testing revealed an additional 25 inmates and 3 staff members tested positive. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Amid the confirmation of COVID-19 infections in 3 staff members and 26 inmates at Hongseong Prison, Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, who visited the site, expressed his apologies to the public. Minister Park urged the prompt completion of vaccinations and took emergency measures to transfer 197 unconfirmed inmates to prevent further infections within Hongseong Prison.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Minister Park visited Hongseong Prison to devise response measures, stating, "I apologize for failing to prevent the group infection," and added, "We will deploy all our capabilities to normalize the institution's operations."

Minister Park said, "Among all inmates, except confirmed cases, close contacts, and essential personnel for institutional operations, a total of 197 unconfirmed inmates were urgently transferred," emphasizing, "Other correctional facilities nationwide are also making efforts to prevent the spread through on-site inspections and consultations with quarantine authorities."

Earlier that day, Minister Park presided over an emergency online meeting of correctional institution heads nationwide regarding quarantine measures. At Hongseong Prison, a total of 30 people, including 3 staff members and 27 inmates, tested positive. Following the confirmation of one new inmate on the 11th, Hongseong Prison conducted comprehensive testing of all inmates and staff.

During the online meeting, Minister Park also stressed the importance of vaccination, stating, "All correctional facilities nationwide are vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks at any time."