United Future Party: "Jung Sye-kyun's statement is self-praise only... No mention of expanding 'ban on Chinese entry'"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is delivering a speech at the Expanded Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held on the 21st at the Seoul Situation Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room in the Government Seoul Office Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party criticized Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's national address, saying it was a speech full of self-praise with important content missing.

Lee Chang-soo, spokesperson for the United Future Party, said in a statement on the 22nd, "The national address lacked the crucial 'how we will act' part," and criticized, "The expected mentions of 'expanding the ban on Chinese entry' and 'raising the crisis level' were completely absent."

The spokesperson pointed out, "While expressing regret to the public, there was no apology for the initial failure in response, only self-praise claiming appropriate measures were taken," adding, "Today alone, confirmed cases increased by 229, and the third death has occurred. There is no safe zone left in the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "The Prime Minister who said in today's address, 'Do not be bound by regulations and respond swiftly,' and 'This is a situation requiring rapid and extraordinary measures,' was nowhere to be seen," and added, "Despite talking about a speed race, the government consistently delays its response, and although asking for trust, it ignores the strong measures the public truly wants, causing the people to feel even more anxious."