President Moon's 'Optimistic Message' Backfires in a Week

To Stimulate Economic Vitality, "COVID-19 Will End Soon" Statement Made...But Daegu and Gyeongbuk Situation Serious, Health Authorities on Alert

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "The quarantine management in the country seems to have entered a relatively stable phase. The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) will end soon." The statement made by President Moon Jae-in at the economic leaders' meeting on the 13th ultimately came back as a boomerang.

Since the 19th, the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases spreading again centered around Daegu is becoming serious. It is spreading not only in Daegu but also to Yeongcheon, Sangju, Gyeongsan, and other areas in North Gyeongsang Province. This essentially means it is leading to 'community infection.' The situation rapidly changed just a week after President Moon's 'optimistic message.'

President Moon's wording was intended to inject energy into the weakened economic vitality. In fact, at the meeting with business leaders, President Moon expressed regret that the COVID-19 outbreak occurred amid a situation where export growth and employment indicators had been improving since the fourth quarter of last year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Until last week, domestic quarantine authorities including the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and medical institutions were focusing on responding to COVID-19, and it seemed that the situation was entering a stable phase compared to China or Japan. However, voices pointed out that the president's remarks could be a 'double-edged sword.' Despite the limitations of complete control due to the nature of infectious diseases, it was said that the optimistic view was prematurely emphasized.

This contrasts with the cautious and calm approach consistently urged by the quarantine authorities, the KCDC, and medical organizations. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (KCDC director), drew a line during the regular briefing on the 12th, saying, "It is a stage to be closely watched, not a turning point or a state to be optimistic or pessimistic about." This nuance differs from President Moon's statement the next day that "COVID-19 will end soon."

Shin Sang-jin, a member of the Future United Party (formerly Liberty Korea Party) and former president of the Korean Medical Association, pointed out in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 20th, "Everyone wishes for a quick end out of impatience, but when such statements come from the top of power, experts in the quarantine authorities tend to withdraw." If the president and ruling party leadership issue optimistic messages, it influences the judgment and actions of the officials in charge.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Rep. Shin advised, "Scientifically, we need to cast a wider net to block the quarantine." In fact, on the 20th, following the 19th, more than ten confirmed cases were added in Daegu, spreading concerns about community infection. The bigger problem is that it is difficult to predict how much worse the situation will become.

Community infection is a situation fundamentally different from the quarantine response focused on managing entrants from Hubei Province, China. President Moon also said at a meeting with city and provincial superintendents of education on the 19th, "It is necessary to significantly strengthen the community infection response system and establish a solid local defense network in the community."

Although the Blue House avoids direct mention, demands for supplementary budgets (additional budget) for COVID-19 response are also continuing. Kim Boo-kyum, a member of the Democratic Party representing Daegu, said on Facebook, "Daegu is currently in a very serious situation," and "I once again request the supplementary budget to mitigate the shock to the local economy and provide support."