“Reimburse ten thousand won each”… Eastern detention center confirmed cases, first lawsuit against government

-Four detainees who were confirmed to have a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) at the Seoul East Detention Center filed a lawsuit for damages of 40 million won per person, 10 million won per person, on the 6th, stating that the state should take responsibility for the quarantine failure. This is the first time a correctional institution prisoner has filed a lawsuit against the state.

The plaintiff claims that “the government did not provide masks to prisoners, did not quarantine between confirmed and general prisoners, and neglected overcrowded prisons.” They also applied for evidence preservation of the Eastern Detention Center’s closed circuit (CC) TV.

As of 5 p.m. on that day, the number of corona 19 confirmed cases related to the Seoul Eastern Detention Center increased to 1,172 (including family members and acquaintances of employees). The previous day, 67 inmates were additionally confirmed in the 6th total survey conducted on 429 employees and 338 inmates at the Seoul East Detention Center. A total of 1,203 coronavirus confirmed personnel at correctional facilities nationwide. The Ministry of Justice is planning to conduct a total inspection on more than 70,000 employees and prisoners of 52 correctional institutions nationwide. In addition, it was decided to provide one mask per day to prisoners of correctional facilities, and to conduct a rapid antigen test once a week for employees. Kim Jae-sul, head of the medical department of the Ministry of Justice, admitted that it was correct to quarantine close contacts into one room per person, but at the time, due to the overcrowding of the detention center, it was inevitable to accept marriage for close contacts. did.
Reporter Eunji Wi [email protected]
Reporter Yoo Won-mo [email protected]