(LEAD) USFK members who hold no-mask parties on Haeundae Beach during Independence Day to be fined
(ATTN: ADDS USFK's comment in last para)
BUSAN, June 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea will be fined if they hold parties without wearing masks on and around a popular beach here during the coming U.S. Independence Day holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic, a local ward office said Wednesday.
The Haeundae Ward office in the southern port city of Busan said it will intensify monitoring of any unruly behavior on Haeundae Beach, together with local police and the U.S. Army Military Police, from July 2-4.
"We will sternly respond to violation cases, such as private gatherings of five or more people and no mask wearing, and impose a fine right away," a ward official said.
Starting next month, limits on private gatherings will be lifted in the non-capital area, as the government decided to ease social distancing rules in line with the nation's rising vaccinations.
But the ward office decided to maintain the ban on gatherings of five people or more on the beach during the three days to prevent overcrowding.
In July last year, some members of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and foreigners have come under public criticism for holding maskless parties on the beach amid the pandemic. Only one American soldier was fined for shooting firecrackers toward people.
Revelers descended on the beach again late last month in celebration of the U.S. Memorial Day.
The U.S. military is reportedly considering restricting its members from visiting the port city during the upcoming July 4 holiday.
The plan for a joint crackdown came after the ward office asked the USFK to help contain some of its members' unruly behavior that causes "anxiety and uneasiness" among others.
About 150 local police officers and 16 U.S. military police officers will patrol the beach on a daily basis over the period.
"We do not condone any type of behavior that violate South Korean laws, rules or directives -- especially ROK or USFK COVID-19 mitigation measures -- and have implemented good order and discipline measures to ensure we behave appropriately during the upcoming holiday period," USFK spokesperson Col. Lee Peters said in a statement sent to Yonhap News Agency.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
S. Korea supports resolution backing U.N. membership of Palestine
-
Chinese man behind drug scam targeting teens nabbed in Cambodia
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
U.S. will take steps for three-way engagement on nuclear deterrence with S. Korea, Japan: Campbell
-
(LEAD) Hybe to file complaint against sublabel executives over internal conflict
-
S. Korea reports highest suicide rate, ultra fine dust level among OECD nations: data
-
U.S. sent ATACMS missiles to Ukraine following Russia's use of N.K. missiles: White House
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis