Gyeonggi Province Establishes Legal Support Team for Criminal Charges Against COVID-19 Test Refusers

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] With Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung signaling legal action against participants of Sarang Jeil Church and the Gwanghwamun rally who have not undergone COVID-19 diagnostic testing by August 30, Gyeonggi Province has established a diagnostic test legal support team dedicated to criminal charges and cost-recovery lawsuits against these individuals.

On August 31, Gyeonggi Province established the 'Diagnostic Test Legal Support Team' co-chaired by attorney Kim Min-su and Gyeonggi Province Policy Planning Director Ryu In-kwon, and composed of legal affairs officials, infection disease management division chiefs, culture and religious affairs division chiefs, health and medical policy division chiefs, special judicial police commanders, and the Gyeonggi Southern Regional Police Agency Investigation Team 2 chiefs, and provincial lawyers, and began operations.

The province explained that this measure was taken based on the judgment that strong legal action against test refusers is necessary to guarantee the health rights of numerous residents and secure community safety as COVID-19 is spreading rapidly.

The diagnostic test legal support team plans to proceed with the first criminal charges in September. The targets are Gyeonggi Province residents who attended Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul services, small meetings, or other related gatherings, events, or business purposes regardless of name since August 7; or those who attended or simply visited the Gyeonggyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun area rallies in Seoul on August 8 and 15, or passed through the area, among Gyeonggi Province residents who, despite receiving orders for diagnostic testing, refused to be tested or failed to comply with quarantine guidelines, causing significant disruption to quarantine efforts.
The province plans to secure related lists and review the selection of persons subject to charges and cost-recovery claims for quarantine expenses.

Ryu In-kwon, co-chair of the diagnostic test legal support team, stated, "While the absolute majority of citizens are actively participating in quarantine measures voluntarily, a considerable number of Sarang Jeil Church meeting attendees and Gwanghwamun rally participants continue to refuse the testing orders by August 30. It is unacceptable to refuse the legitimate demands of the community, and we plan to pursue criminal charges and cost-recovery claims without exception against all Sarang Jeil Church and Gwanghwamun rally participants who refuse testing."

For inquiries regarding the Gyeonggi Province diagnostic test legal support team, contact the legal support team at 031-8008-2153~4.