<Anchor> As



criticism grew that the increase in the number of confirmed cases in correctional facilities was due to insufficient measures by the government, Vice Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu officially apologized today (31st).

In order to prevent further spreading, it was decided to limit the interviews with lawyers and provide 3 masks per person per week.



For more details, reporter Kang Cheong-wan will deliver.



<Reporter>



Lee Yong-gu, vice minister of justice, directly bowed his head in connection with the coronavirus group infection at the eastern detention center in Seoul, where more than 900 confirmed cases occurred.



[Lee Yong-gu/Deputy Minister of Justice: We sincerely apologize for causing concern to the public regarding the outbreak of a coronavirus confirmed group infection



at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center

.] On

the 18th, starting with the Seoul Eastern Detention Center, after the collective infection of correctional facilities began. This is the first official apology from a senior Ministry of Justice official who came out.



The Ministry of Justice said it would raise social distancing for all correctional facilities to three stages for two weeks from today to January 13 next year to prevent further spread.



It means that we will limit visits, work, and education to minimize contact between prisoners, and to conduct limited interviews with lawyers.



We plan to minimize the summons investigation and trial schedule with the cooperation of the prosecution and the court.



All correctional facilities prisoners and employees will be tested for Corona 19, and KF94 masks will be provided per person per week.



Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae was also busy, visiting Suwon and Incheon detention centers to check the corona response situation.



In the midst of this, the Eastern Detention Center said it is undergoing disciplinary proceedings against prisoners who recently showed a paper saying "Please save me" outside the window of the detention center.



An official from the Ministry of Justice explained that the detainee was accused of destroying the property by breaking the screen and inciting other detainees by shouting for life even though he was negatively judged.



(Video coverage: Yang Doo-won, video editing: Ha Seong-won)