President Moon: "A Critical Turning Point in the COVID-19 Crisis... Crisis Alert Raised to Highest Level 'Serious'"

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 23rd regarding the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), "The government will raise the crisis alert to the highest level, 'serious,' following the recommendations of infectious disease experts and significantly strengthen the response system."

At 3 p.m. that day, President Moon held the 'COVID-19 Pan-Government Countermeasure Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office and said, "The COVID-19 situation has reached a critical turning point. The next few days are a very important juncture." He added, "It is essential to identify infected individuals as quickly as possible for early treatment and to block further spread. This is a crucial moment when the government, local governments, quarantine authorities, medical staff, as well as local residents and the entire nation, must unite and respond with full force."

Regarding the Shincheonji Church, where a cluster outbreak of COVID-19 occurred, President Moon said, "The situation before and after the large-scale Shincheonji cluster infection is completely different," and added, "We are taking extraordinary measures against Shincheonji followers, who have become the source of the cluster infections." He continued, "Above all, we are conducting rapid full-scale investigations and diagnostics to quickly identify confirmed patients," and urged, "We must not be bound by regulations and should not hesitate to take unprecedented strong measures." As of that day, among the 556 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 306 were identified as related to the Shincheonji Church.

President Moon stated, "Not only in Daegu but also local governments nationwide have temporarily closed Shincheonji facilities and are conducting full investigations and management of followers. This is a natural and inevitable measure to protect the safety of the community," and emphasized, "This is not to restrict religious freedom but to protect the lives and safety of local residents and the public." He added, "It is also to protect the safety of Shincheonji followers," and strongly requested, "We ask for the active cooperation of the Shincheonji Church and its followers."

Furthermore, he said, "The same applies to other religions and general organizations. This time, we have vividly confirmed how dangerous events held in enclosed indoor spaces with large gatherings are for the spread of infectious diseases," and urged, "We ask that people voluntarily refrain from group events or activities that could harm others and the general public, not only indoors but also outdoors."

President Moon also expressed, "I would like to offer words of consolation and encouragement especially to the citizens of Daegu and the residents of Gyeongbuk," and said, "The government recognizes the crisis in Daegu and Gyeongbuk as a national crisis and will pool national capabilities to overcome the difficulties."

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the Government Seoul Office during the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held on the afternoon of the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "Although this is a grave crisis, we can overcome it," and added, "The government has sufficient capacity and confidence to control and manage the spread of infectious diseases." Regarding the large increase in confirmed cases, he reassured, "Most of the newly confirmed patients are occurring within clusters with clear connections," and said, "If thoroughly managed and controlled within the government's quarantine system, the spread to the outside can be delayed and minimized."

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and ministers from various departments. Since provincial governors nationwide needed to monitor local quarantine situations, they participated via video conference. At the Blue House, Chief of Staff Noh Young-min, National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong, Policy Chief Kim Sang-jo, and other related secretaries including Lee Jin-seok, Director of the National Situation Room responsible for the COVID-19 response task force (TF), attended.