"Which Country's Minister Are You?"... Criticism of Park Neung-hoo's Remarks Blaming Koreans for COVID-19 Spread

Park Neung-hoo "COVID-19 Spread Due to Koreans Returning from China" Faces Fierce Criticism from Opposition

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo is responding to questions from lawmakers at the plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, faced public criticism on the 26th after stating that "the biggest cause of the virus spread is Koreans coming from China."

The controversial remark came during a heated exchange between Minister Park and Jeong Gap-yoon, a member of the Future United Party, at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session that day.

Rep. Jeong pointed out, "Countries like North Korea and Russia closed their borders early. (Referring to the allowance of Chinese entry) If the ceiling is broken and rain leaks in, what good is wiping the floor? Minister, what have you done?"

Minister Park responded, "I acted with conviction and did my best." In response, Rep. Jeong pressed, "What do you mean by doing your best? Then why did this outcome happen? Is it the Shincheonji Church again? Or the citizens of Daegu?"

A Chinese international student is sanitizing their hands at Gimhae Airport on the 25th.
Jinju City, Gyeongnam, cooperated with Gyeongsang National University to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On this day, they visited Gimhae Airport and Incheon Airport, where many Chinese international students arrive, and transported the students to the university dormitories.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Park then replied, "The biggest cause of the spread was our Koreans who came from China." Rep. Jeong asked, "Wouldn't it have been better to block it from the start? Are you saying our country is the origin of (COVID-19)?"

Minister Park emphasized, "What I mean is that those who initially came were our Koreans. Koreans who came from China." When asked again, "Shouldn't Koreans coming from China be quarantined?" Minister Park countered, "We cannot quarantine everyone every time they enter. How can we quarantine 2,000 Koreans entering daily?"

He continued, "The nature of this virus is such that people who pass quarantine undetected enter. Koreans without fever or cough brought the infection source (from China)," he explained.

Regarding criticism of the government's inadequate response to COVID-19, Minister Park said, "I am sorry that the number of confirmed cases is high now," but added, "However, the government did have measures. The spread is occurring within a specific religious group (Shincheonji Church of Jesus)."

On the 24th, citizens wearing masks for reasons such as COVID-19 prevention are commuting at the crosswalk of Gwanghwamun Station intersection in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

After the meeting, Minister Park's remarks became known, sparking a flood of criticism and condemnation.

Song Ki-heon, the Democratic Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee spokesperson, urged Minister Park, "While all decisions regarding the ban on Chinese entry were made with reasonable judgment, I ask that you seriously consider the honest concerns of the public."

Kim Do-eup, spokesperson for the United Party, pointed out, "The public is angry at Minister Park's statement that the COVID-19 situation is due to domestic factors."

Also, Lee Man-hee, the party's floor spokesperson, criticized, "Minister Park's remarks not only shift the government's responsibility for being lukewarm on restricting Chinese entry while trying to appease China, the outbreak country, onto the public, but also ignore the fact that the first confirmed COVID-19 patient in Korea was Chinese, deceiving the public."

Kang Min-jin, spokesperson for the Justice Party, said, "Although the origin of COVID-19 is China, the careless remark gives the impression of blaming the infected citizens of our country," and urged, "As the person responsible for health and quarantine, please be more cautious in your future remarks."

Netizens also voiced criticism. One netizen expressed frustration, saying, "I don't know which country's minister this is," and added, "These days are stressful enough because of COVID-19, and this makes it worse."

Another netizen said, "I can't understand these words," and questioned, "Are you saying the COVID-19 situation is due to Koreans?"

As the controversy grew, Minister Park clarified, "Koreans who went to China might bring pathogens, or they might come directly from China," and explained, "Before the 31st confirmed case, the proportion of nationals was higher, so I said that."