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The South Korean Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has launched an investigation of a British national in his 30s who was out and about in the Suwon area in defiance of disease control authorities’ recommendation that he self-isolate. The MOJ also plans to pursue deportation and other stringent measures in the future against foreign nationals who violate self-isolation measures.

The MOJ-affiliated Suwon Office of Immigration announced on Mar. 29 that it had begun an investigation into the British national. The office said it had requested data on him from the Suwon disaster countermeasures headquarters on Mar. 28 and planned to summon him for questioning as his symptoms improve.

According to accounts from the city and other sources, he traveled around the Suwon and Yongin areas by bicycle, subway, and motorcycle without a mask for several days between his arrival in South Korea on Mar. 20 and Mar. 24, when he tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He was also found to have visited a screen golf driving range without a mask the day after he visited a screening clinic to have a sample taken and undergo diagnostic testing.

Article 11 of the Immigration Act states that entry may be barred to “a person deemed highly likely to engage in any conduct harming the interests or public security of the Republic of Korea,” while Article 46 stipulates that deportation may be implemented if such grounds are found after arrival. The MOJ has indicated that it may consider deporting him depending on the investigation’s findings.

“We will be dealing sternly with foreign nationals violating disease control authorities’ self-isolation measures, including possible deportation,” MOJ said.

“[Individuals] should take care to avoid suffering deportation, entry bans, and other unfavorable measures due to indiscriminate activities,” it warned.

By Lim Jae-woo, staff reporter

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