Overseas Koreans who returned from Wuhan, China by chartered flight are moving to a temporary accommodation set up at the Chungnam Asan Police Human Resources Development Institute on the 31st. / Asan - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
[Asia Economy (Naepo) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A temporary office for the Governor of Chungnam Province has been set up in front of the Chungnam Asan Police Human Resources Development Institute (hereafter referred to as the Development Institute). The Development Institute will serve as a temporary living space where 200 evacuees from Wuhan will be quarantined and reside. The governor plans to stay nearby the Development Institute for the time being to carry out official duties and continue daily life.
Chungnam Province announced a statement from Governor Yang Seung-jo on the 31st outlining these details. On that day, Governor Yang stated that he plans to set up a temporary office and residence in Onyang 5-dong 2-tong village, Asan City, to maintain daily life. The office is located about 100 meters away from the Development Institute.
Governor Yang said, “I have established my temporary office facilities here (in front of the Development Institute) and also arranged a residence in this village,” adding, “Until the day (the evacuees from Wuhan and others in quarantine) safely return home from the temporary living facility, I will carry out official duties, meetings, and all daily activities together with the local residents.”
He also addressed the regional selfishness that was raised by some when local residents initially opposed the decision to designate the Development Institute as the temporary living site for the evacuees from Wuhan.
Governor Yang asked rhetorically, “Would there have been no anxiety or concern among residents regardless of which area was selected as the temporary living site?” He emphasized, “I hope the people of Chungnam Province and the nation understand and embrace that the concerns and worries of Asan citizens do not stem from regional selfishness.”
He also clarified that the government’s decision on the temporary living site for the evacuees from Wuhan was not influenced by political considerations. “The government initially held an emergency meeting with related ministries and evaluated eight candidate sites based on six criteria,” he explained. “Although there were some confusions and premature media reports during this process, it was not a political matter; the Development Institute in Asan was simply ranked first based on the evaluation results.”
He continued, “If the decision had been reversed (from Cheonan to Asan, etc.) due to political reasons, I as governor would not have remained silent.” He appealed, “I solemnly declare, under my official capacity as governor, that the government and quarantine authorities’ measures were carried out in compliance with laws and manuals.”
Governor Yang also expressed his intention to work with the central government and Asan City to prepare countermeasures against the potential economic downturn in the region caused by the evacuees living at the Development Institute.
First, the province plans to strengthen financial support for small business owners and self-employed individuals by lowering the guarantee fee by 0.5% on 50 million KRW per company and expanding interest subsidy funds by 1%, fearing damage throughout Asan City. Additionally, the province will hold provincial government meetings in Asan and support campaigns to encourage the use of local restaurants, enabling cooperation between Asan City and civic groups.
Governor Yang appealed, “The evacuees (Wuhan evacuees) in the temporary living facility and the local residents (Asan citizens) nearby will gain strength and overcome the crisis when the province’s residents and the nation stand together.” He earnestly requested, “In this national crisis, I sincerely ask everyone to become wiser and more mature citizens who unite their strength.”
Meanwhile, the government brought 368 evacuees who had been residing in Wuhan City and nearby areas in China into the country on the morning of the 31st around 8 a.m. via Korean Air flight KE9884, a Boeing 747 passenger plane, arriving at Gimpo Airport. Among them, 200 evacuees moved to the Development Institute, all of whom completed quarantine and entry procedures at Gimpo Airport.
On that day, Asan citizens allowed the buses carrying the evacuees from Wuhan to enter the Development Institute without protests or physical clashes. The citizens decided not to hold any further protest rallies and agreed to dismantle the two tents installed the previous day at the intersection in front of the Development Institute.
This decision was made after residents gathered at the Chosa 2-tong village hall held a lengthy meeting. Instead, the residents plan to demand thorough quarantine measures from the government and Chungnam Province and convey their suggestions together.
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