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| 1Visitors wearing face masks walk at a park in Seoul, Monday, May 4, 2020. AP |
By Jung Min-ho
Foreigners in Korea will face heavier fines for violating coronavirus quarantine rules.
The Ministry of Justice said Monday that it will revise enforcement regulations to raise fines to 3 million won ($2,500) from 500,000 won this month for first-time violators of mandatory 14-day quarantine. Second- and third-time violators will face fines of 5 million and 10 million won, respectively.
"It is critical for everyone coming from overseas to follow the self-isolation rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the ministry said in a statement.
The rules apply also for Koreans, who could face up to one year in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million won.
In serious cases, foreigners could be deported immediately. In April, 18 were forced to leave Korea for breaking the rules, according to the ministry.
On Monday, Korea reported 35 more COVID-19 cases, the biggest single-day spike since April 9, bringing the country's total infections to 10,909.
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