Daegu Surprise Visit, Vows Full Support... Party-Government-Blue House Clarify Lockdown Remarks "Not Referring to Regional Lockdown"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in said on the afternoon of the 25th at the Daegu Metropolitan City Hall Situation Room during the ‘Special Countermeasure Meeting for COVID-19 Response in Daegu Region,’ “The issue is time and speed,” adding, “We must create a clear turning point in the increase of confirmed cases within this week.”
President Moon’s visit to Daegu on that day was carried out abruptly. He met with Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu, and others on site to discuss countermeasures. Accompanying him from the government were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye, Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young, and Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo. President Moon listened to the damage situation experienced by residents of Daegu and Gyeongbuk and conveyed the government’s intention to provide full support at the national level.
President Moon said, “The government will gather nationwide capabilities and definitely win the fight against the virus together with Daegu and Gyeongbuk,” adding, “The government has deployed the military and police and activated a nationwide full-scale support system, including support from private medical personnel.”
President Moon said, “Warmth continues as quarantine supplies and daily necessities are being sent from all over the country, led by Gwangju and Jeonnam. I am once again reminded that national unity is not in slogans but in the heart and practice of sharing hardships together.”
President Moon said, “We must absolutely prevent the spread of COVID-19 both within and outside the region. In this morning’s briefing on the results of the high-level party-government meeting, there was an expression about implementing the strictest lockdown policy, but I want to clarify that this does not mean a regional lockdown but rather the maximum blocking of transmission and spread. It seems there was some misunderstanding, so I wanted to say this again.”
President Moon said, “Starting this evening, the Prime Minister will reside here directly as the head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters and lead the site,” and pledged, “The government will mobilize all available resources and do everything it can to ensure the situation calms down quickly.”
President Moon said, “We are devising special support measures to alleviate the socioeconomic damage experienced by Daegu and Gyeongbuk,” adding, “The government will promptly execute emergency budgets, including special grants and contingency funds. Because the situation is very serious, declaring a special disaster area alone will not be sufficient.”
President Moon said, “To provide sufficient financial support, we will actively reflect this in the supplementary budget by obtaining the National Assembly’s consent. I believe the National Assembly will also join forces. There is nothing we cannot overcome if we all unite our strength.”
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