[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Boo-kyum, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Daegu Suseong-gu Gap), on the 25th, responded to reports that the phrase "Daegu·Gyeongbuk (TK) lockdown" was mentioned at the high-level party-government meeting on COVID-19 response by saying, "Refrain from inconsiderate remarks and behavior."
On the same day, Kim posted on his Facebook under the title "Remarks about lockdown measures that could be misunderstood, refrain entirely from inconsiderate remarks and behavior," stating, "The expression 'lockdown measures' was used at the party-government-office meeting, causing unnecessary controversy. Although I hastily clarified, I feel deeply saddened as to why such inconsiderate remarks continue."
He said, "The intention behind the remarks was probably to emphasize thorough quarantine measures to prevent the nationwide spread of COVID-19, but for the citizens of Daegu and Gyeongbuk who heard it, it felt like another stab to their hearts."
He continued, "It is natural to operate a stable quarantine system to block the nationwide spread of COVID-19 and prevent community transmission through thorough quarantine," and emphasized, "I strongly urge an all-government full-scale response to the COVID-19 lockdown."
Kim also earnestly requested, "Once again, I sincerely ask the party-government-office and the public to consider the feelings of the people of Daegu and Gyeongbuk who are fighting to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the citizens who are struggling with anxiety, and to refrain entirely from any remarks or behavior that could cause emotional wounds."
Earlier that morning, Hong Ik-pyo, the senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party, announced at a briefing after the party-government-office meeting held at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, "We have decided to designate Daegu and Gyeongbuk as special management areas and implement the maximum lockdown policy beyond usual blocking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19."
This led to speculation in some quarters that entry to and exit from the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions might be completely blocked. In response to the controversy, the Democratic Party sent a text message to reporters clarifying, "The phrase 'implementing the maximum lockdown policy' means tightening the quarantine network to block the spread of COVID-19 and community transmission, and does not mean completely blocking entry and exit to the region."
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