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Jeju Gov. Won Hee-ryong

Jeju Gov. Won Hee-ryong filed suit on Mar. 30 to demand damages from a student who studied abroad in the US and her mother, who both tested positive for the novel coronavirus after traveling to Jeju Island. The plaintiffs are Jeju Province and five individuals, including two who are currently in self-isolation and representatives of two businesses. It marks the first time a local government has filed suit against individuals in connection with the virus. The damages claimed amount to over 132 million won (US$108,244).

In a joint coronavirus response briefing that day, Won said, “This mother and daughter had symptoms dating back to the first day of their Jeju trip, yet they continued visiting tourist sites and businesses for five days, resulting in major losses for the island’s businesses and residents.”

“Over 20 establishments have been closed, while 96 island residents have suspended their occupational activities and gone into self-isolation,” he explained.

“We cannot have this kind of shameless ‘free riding’ activity amid the desperate battle of medical professionals, the efforts of related officials, and the public’s participation in social distancing,” he stressed. “With this lawsuit, I hope to sound a powerful alarm.”

“While it will depend on how many plaintiffs participate, we currently have the province and six businesses taking part, with [a claim amount of] over 100 million won [US$82,016].”

The 19-year-old high school student, who arrived from the US on Mar. 15, traveled throughout Jeju with her mother for a five-day period beginning on Mar. 20. Both tested positive for the coronavirus on Mar. 25, the day after their return to Seoul.

The social outcry over the case of the international student and her mother, who reside in Seoul’s affluent Gangnam District, intensified with remarks made by Gangnam District head Jeong Sun-gyun, who said the two of them “would have been ‘well-meaning victims’ had they traveled to Jeju before the Gangnam District Office’s self-isolation message was sent.” Jeong apologized on Mar. 29 after critics called his remarks “inconsistent” with social distancing practices and self-isolation measures for returning international students.

By Huh Ho-joon, staff reporter

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