South Korea Deports Chinese Citizens Who Refuse Quarantine Despite Positive COVID

Photo by Soyoung Han on Unsplash

JAKARTA - South Korea has just deported a Chinese national who was arrested for hiding without participating in mandatory quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in South Korea earlier this month.

Quoted from Yonhap News, Tuesday, January 24, the 41-year-old man was deported on January 13. Eight days after he was arrested for refusing to quarantine and instead fleeing after testing positive for the virus during a check-up at Incheon International Airport on Jan. 3.

"He was referred to the procuratorate after a police investigation into allegations of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, but it took more than a month before a court hearing," an official from the Central Disaster Management Headquarters said.

"We have to release him, because the case is not grounds for official arrest and the Immigration Service is taking action of forced deportation, which the agency can take on its own without trial," the official said.

The fine could be imposed after the prosecution brings the case to court, the official said.

Up to one year in prison or a fine of 10 million won (US$8,121) can be imposed for violators of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

The Chinese man was also reportedly banned from entering South Korea for one year.