Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin, "Stop Using Terms Daegu Corona and Daegu Pneumonia"

2020.02.03 Briefing by Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jucheol In] Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin on the 23rd expressed strong concerns about the use of terms such as ‘Daegu Corona’ or ‘Daegu Pneumonia’ on social networking services (SNS) regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Before the COVID-19 briefing that day, Mayor Kwon explained, "Just as it is not Wuhan pneumonia, it is not ‘Daegu pneumonia’ either, but COVID-19," adding, "Those confirmed cases did not travel to Daegu but attended worship services at the Shincheonji Daegu Church or events held by its followers."

Mayor Kwon emphasized, "Everyone is going through a difficult and fearful time," and said, "Citizens have shared in their neighbors’ pain and comforted them, and have tried to contribute even a small amount of help rather than criticize or blame." He added, "Please do not criticize or mock Daegu citizens, even if you criticize the Mayor of Daegu."

Preliminary candidates who declared their candidacy for the 21st general election in the Daegu region, regardless of party affiliation, also expressed strong concerns about the use of terms linking COVID-19 and Daegu and urged restraint.

In particular, Kim Boo-kyum, a member of the ruling party and co-chairman of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk regional joint election countermeasures committee of the Democratic Party of Korea (Daegu Suseong-gap), posted on Facebook appealing not to use the term ‘Daegu Pneumonia’ circulating in some media and online.

However, criticism has grown after it was belatedly revealed that the government itself used the expression ‘Daegu COVID-19’ in its press releases related to COVID-19.

Mayor Kwon requested, "Please do not exploit Daegu’s pain and the difficulties of its citizens for political strife or political gain."