Legal Issues in Quarantine and Isolation for Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases

Abstract

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in South Korea in 2015 has drawn public attention regarding the legal regulation of infectious disease control in Korea. This paper discusses the interpretive and legislative concerns regarding the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, its ordinance and enforcement regulations, as well as public statements from the relevant administrative agency. Future improvements are also proposed.

Keywords

• Infectious disease
• Mandatory quarantine
• Compulsory hospitalization
• Home quarantine
• Compensation