President Moon Checks National Medical Center's Response to 'New Coronavirus'

President Moon Visits Decompression Ward to Encourage Medical Staff... Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun to Hold Ministerial Meeting on the 26th Afternoon to Discuss Charter Flight for Chinese Wuhan Evacuees

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min, Lim Cheol-young, Son Seon-hee] On the morning of the 28th, President Moon Jae-in visited the National Medical Center, a government-designated inpatient treatment facility, to inspect the response measures against the "Novel Coronavirus Infection (Wuhan Pneumonia)."

On the same day, President Moon visited the negative pressure ward for patients infected with the novel coronavirus to encourage the medical staff. Earlier, the National Medical Center had installed the country's first mobile CT room in preparation for an increase in infectious disease patients. The Blue House is operating a daily inspection task force for the novel coronavirus response.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun plans to hold a meeting with relevant ministers in the afternoon to discuss the schedule for deploying charter flights to evacuate Korean residents remaining in Wuhan, China. The deployment of charter flights is expected to begin as early as the 30th. The government plans to operate about two to three charter flights to evacuate approximately 500 Korean residents and students.

On the 28th, as fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia' spreads, office workers are seen wearing masks on their way to work at the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Earlier, the Korean Consulate General in Wuhan accepted applications via email for boarding the charter flight from Korean nationals until 11:55 PM on the 27th through its internet homepage. Chinese nationals are not allowed to board the charter flights. People showing suspicious symptoms such as a fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, vomiting, coughing, sore throat, or difficulty breathing are also prohibited from boarding. Nearly 700 overseas Koreans expressed their intention to board as a result of the application process.

Those returning must stay at government-designated facilities for 14 days from the day of arrival, considering the incubation period. The Consulate General stated, "The final passenger list will be announced on the 28th on the homepage and in the Korean community WeChat group," adding, "The charter flight deployment is planned for the 30th or 31st but may change depending on consultations with China."