Daegu·Gyeongbuk 'Lockdown' Controversy Spreads... "Another Blow Struck at Daegu and Gyeongbuk"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a speech at the high-level party-government-civil society meeting on COVID-19 held at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Political circles and local communities are sharply criticizing the ruling party, government, and Blue House over remarks about 'lockdown measures' for Daegu and Gyeongbuk made during the announcement of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) countermeasures. Although the ruling party and the Blue House have belatedly tried to manage the situation by calling it a misinterpretation, the controversy shows little sign of subsiding.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, said at a briefing of the high-level ruling party-government meeting on the 25th regarding the expression 'implementing the maximum lockdown policy,' "President Moon Jae-in instructed the spokesperson to clearly state that he was not referring to a regional lockdown but rather to blocking the transmission and spread of COVID-19 as much as possible."

Earlier, the Democratic Party, government, and Blue House held a high-level ruling party-government-Blue House meeting that day and announced measures including the maximum lockdown of the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas and the preparation of a supplementary budget related to the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Hong Ik-pyo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, announced the results of the meeting, saying, "At this stage, to block the virus transmission as much as possible, we will designate Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Cheongdo as special infectious disease control areas and implement maximum lockdown measures beyond the usual blocking measures." This could be interpreted as the authorities completely blocking entry to Daegu and Gyeongbuk, similar to the case of Wuhan, China.

The party immediately sent a text message to reporters explaining, "The meaning of 'implementing the maximum lockdown policy' refers to tightening the quarantine network to block the spread of COVID-19 and community transmission," and "It does not mean blocking entry to the region itself," but the controversy has not easily subsided.

Shim Jae-cheol, floor leader of the United Future Party, released a statement that day criticizing, "Words that can hurt citizens and residents should be avoided." He said, "The Moon Jae-in government mentioned countermeasures for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region and used the term 'Daegu lockdown.' I want to ask whether this means blocking Daegu city like the Wuhan lockdown and what the exact meaning is."

He added, "Not only did the government cause great hurt by using the term 'Daegu COVID,' but now they are even using the term 'Daegu lockdown.' The use of terms that can hurt the pride of citizens and residents should be avoided," he emphasized.

Kwon Young-jin, mayor of Daegu, also showed discomfort. At a briefing held at Daegu City Hall that day, he said, "Can anyone really lock down the Daegu area like us? I have not heard anything about a Daegu lockdown," but added, "For Daegu citizens to protect their health themselves and to end the COVID-19 situation early on a nationwide level, it is painful but something we must endure to end the nationwide situation early."

Kim Jong-yeon, deputy head of the Daegu Infectious Disease Control Support Group, said, "I think the meaning of the word 'lockdown' announced by the government is different. A lockdown strategy is a measure to identify and isolate people who may cause infection in the community," and added, "We are expanding selective confirmed testing to block infected parts in the community and isolating these individuals."

Voices of criticism also came from within the ruling party. Kim Boo-kyum, a Democratic Party lawmaker representing Suseong-gap in Daegu, said on Facebook that day, "The use of the term lockdown measures at the ruling party-government-Blue House meeting caused unnecessary controversy. Although an urgent explanation was made, I am deeply saddened by why such inconsiderate language continues, and another dagger has been plunged into the hearts of Daegu and Gyeongbuk citizens."