When a Second‑hand Truth Becomes a Full‑time Prison Sentence
South Korea’s latest “who‑did‑what” case proves the government is no joke about COVID19
In the quiet suburbs of Incheon, a 24‑year‑old man who thought he could hide his clinic from the world was caught on the big screen – and in jail. He was handed a six‑month sentence after a court found out he fibbed at least 20 times during a sting‑crowd COVID‑tracking operation.
What went wrong?
- He was a school teacher in Incheon, but he failed to admit that fact when he tested positive back in May.
- He wanted to keep his classroom life under wraps, especially after a spate of infections in Seoul’s bars and nightclubs.
- His lies were so stubborn that investigators traced more than 80 secondary infections back to him.
Why the punishment mattered
The court said his deceit damaged both the economy and local community feel‑good, adding an unbearable layer of fear among the residents. “Huge social impact,” the judge noted. The prosecutor, who sought a two‑year stint, finally accepted a 180‑day term — still harsh enough to send a message.
Did he remorse?
During the hearing, he apologized, admitting he hadn’t realized the gravity of his missteps. “I didn’t see how serious this would become,” he claimed.
Current COVID‑19 snapshot
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), midnight Wednesday saw 69 new cases, raising the nationwide total to 24,422 infected and 427 deaths.
