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.
Korea deports Taiwanese woman for refusing to stay at quarantine facility
People wearing protective clothing sit on a bench at Incheon International Airport, Monday. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Korea has deported a Taiwanese woman for refusing to stay at a quarantine facility.
According to the Ministry of Justice Monday, the woman, whose identity is being withheld, was deported late on Sunday after refusing to pay for a government-designated quarantine facility.
This is the first time the government has deported a foreigner for violating the self-isolation rule over the COVID-19 pandemic, although there have been some cases in which foreigners were denied entry.
In an effort to help contain the coronavirus, the government has imposed mandatory two-week self-isolation for all arrivals from overseas since Wednesday.
Those subject to the rule must stay in their homes or the facilities. Daily expenses for staying at the facilities are about 100,000 won ($81).
The woman, who arrived at Incheon International Airport Thursday, initially agreed to stay at the facility, but later refused to pay, the ministry said.
As of Monday afternoon, the virus has infected 10,284 people and killed 186 in Korea.