COVID-19 Management Capabilities Overshadowed by Shincheonji, President Moon's Crucial Turning Point in Governance

Cheong Wa Dae to Hold Expert Meeting with Medical Community in Security Briefing on 24th... President Moon: "The Next Few Days Are a Critical Turning Point"

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] President Moon Jae-in decided on the afternoon of the 24th to hold the Blue House senior secretaries and aides meeting in the form of a 'meeting with experts from the medical community.'

Following the upgrade of the crisis alert level for the response to the 'novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)' to the highest level, the serious stage, the Blue House has entered a full-scale response system by inviting infectious disease experts to the senior secretaries and aides meeting. Starting from the 25th, the Blue House plans to officially launch a COVID-19 response strategy meeting with the participation of Chief Secretary Noh Young-min and other three chiefs.

At the government-wide COVID-19 countermeasure meeting on the 23rd, President Moon said, "The situation before and after the large-scale Shincheonji cluster infection is completely different," and urged, "We must not hesitate to take unprecedentedly strong measures."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This marks a change from the atmosphere when President Moon previously emphasized the importance of normal economic activities. A sense of crisis is being sensed both inside and outside the Blue House. The Blue House does not deny that COVID-19 prevention is its top priority.

What is noteworthy is that the flow of COVID-19 this week could become a turning point that will determine President Moon’s governance in his fourth year in office starting in May. COVID-19 is directly related to the lives and safety of the people. The response to COVID-19 is an issue connected not only to the health sector but also to politics, economy, and diplomacy. Public opinion is expected to shift significantly depending on whether President Moon demonstrates his ability to manage state affairs.

President Moon’s statement that "the next few days are a very critical turning point" relates to the trend in confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to Shincheonji. While focused testing of those connected to the Shincheonji Daegu Church and Cheongdo Daenam Hospital may cause a short-term surge in confirmed cases, it is hoped that after a few days the increase will slow and the situation will enter a containment phase.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

It is also notable that President Moon has been mentioning Shincheonji repeatedly in official meetings and ordering active countermeasures. At the government-wide countermeasure meeting, he emphasized, "Local governments conducting thorough investigations and management of Shincheonji followers is a natural measure to protect community safety," adding, "This is not to restrict religious freedom but to safeguard the lives and safety of the people."

As confirmed COVID-19 cases increase centered around Shincheonji, public criticism is also intensifying. The target of public anger over COVID-19 is focusing on the specific religious group Shincheonji. From the perspective of the framing effect in public opinion, this disperses criticism directed at the government.

The nationwide spread of infectious diseases could raise questions about the government’s response, but so far President Moon’s approval rating has not been significantly shaken. According to a public opinion survey conducted by Realmeter on behalf of YTN from the 17th to the 21st among 2,512 voters aged 18 and over nationwide, President Moon’s approval rating rose by 0.8 percentage points from the previous week to 47.4%. Detailed survey results can be found on the website of the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission.

This appears to be the result of public perception that the Shincheonji issue is a cause of the worsening COVID-19 situation. The problem is that if the number of confirmed cases continues to rise next week or if the nationwide spread continues, the government’s management capability could come under scrutiny. In this regard, the issue of expanding restrictions on entry from China remains a persistent concern.

Professor Jeon Byung-yul of the Department of Preventive Medicine at CHA University of Science and Technology said in an interview with BBS Radio’s 'Lee Sang-hwi’s Morning Journal' on the 24th, "Even if it is not a complete entry ban, short-term entry restrictions focused on regions in China where many patients have occurred are necessary at this point."