Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Foreigners to face heavier fines for violating quarantine rules
1Visitors wearing face masks walk at a park in Seoul, Monday, May 4, 2020. AP
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Foreigners in Korea will face heavier fines for violating coronavirus quarantine rules.
The Ministry of Justice said Monday that it will revise enforcement regulations to raise fines to 3 million won ($2,500) from 500,000 won this month for first-time violators of mandatory 14-day quarantine. Second- and third-time violators will face fines of 5 million and 10 million won, respectively.
“It is critical for everyone coming from overseas to follow the self-isolation rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the ministry said in a statement.
The rules apply also for Koreans, who could face up to one year in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million won.
In serious cases, foreigners could be deported immediately. In April, 18 were forced to leave Korea for breaking the rules, according to the ministry.
On Monday, Korea reported 35 more COVID-19 cases, the biggest single-day spike since April 9, bringing the country's total infections to 10,909.