Saebosu Party: "All Measures Including Entry Ban Must Be Taken Against 'Wuhan Pneumonia'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus, commonly referred to as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' the number of participants in a national petition requesting a ban on Chinese nationals' entry has surpassed 500,000. The New Conservative Party has also raised the necessity of restricting the entry of Chinese tourists.

On the 28th, Yoo Seung-min, Chairman of the Conservative Reconstruction Committee of the New Conservative Party, stated at a press briefing held in front of the Blue House, "If the spread of Wuhan pneumonia is not properly contained due to hesitation over China's stance, those responsible must be held accountable."

Chairman Yoo pointed out, "Wuhan pneumonia has instilled fear in our citizens throughout the recent holiday," adding, "With delayed health administration, confirmed cases have emerged domestically, and it is a very dangerous situation as we do not know how far it will spread." He continued, "I hope all possible measures will be mobilized to prevent the spread of Wuhan pneumonia and to suppress the epidemic early. Furthermore, regarding various exchanges between China and Korea, I urge that all necessary measures, including entry bans, be taken under the principle that the lives of the people come first."

Ha Tae-kyung, co-representative of the New Conservative Party, criticized, "Since President Moon's inauguration, the discipline within the Blue House and the President himself has become quite lax," adding, "He is not even adhering to his own words regarding the MERS issue from the past." He further expressed strong doubts about whether the Moon administration is upholding the top priority principle of protecting the people, stating, "Entry of people coming from the Wuhan area to Korea must be banned."

He also said, "Regarding those who have already come from the Wuhan area, quarantine measures should be taken even now and maintained until the incubation period ends. If they are released without symptoms, the infection could spread rapidly. Therefore, it is advisable to actively enforce quarantine measures until it is confirmed that there are no abnormalities after the incubation period."