Prime Minister Jeong Apologizes for Public Inconvenience and Disappointment over Mask Supply through Official Distribution Channels

On the 28th, at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, ministers from each department are attentively listening to the opening remarks of Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who is inspecting the situation on-site at Daegu City Hall, during the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19 Response.' Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 28th, "Although the government announced the supply of masks through the public distribution network, we failed to meet the promised time and quantity," adding, "We also failed to explain in advance, causing inconvenience and disappointment to the citizens who visited the stores. I sincerely apologize."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at Daegu City Hall on the same day to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Prime Minister Chung stated, "Trust is as important as speed."

He instructed, "The Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and related departments should organize the mask distribution system in the shortest possible time and provide detailed explanations to the public as they are."

He emphasized, "Public authority exists to protect the lives and safety of the people," and "All government agencies with public authority must step up to ensure that the mask measures are properly implemented."

He also requested, "If it is still insufficient, please consider stronger supply measures."

Prime Minister Chung mentioned, "Recently, the number of confirmed cases in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions has been rapidly increasing," and "Especially among religious figures, test results for those showing symptoms are being concentrated, so experts expect more confirmed cases to emerge in the coming days."

He added, "After the testing of those individuals is completed, how quickly the spread trend is curbed will be the key to this fight."

He stressed, "It is a crucial time to quickly identify patients, isolate them, and provide appropriate treatment according to the severity of symptoms," and "Necessary resources such as hospital beds, personnel, and equipment must be supported in a timely manner to ensure the entire process proceeds smoothly."

Finally, Prime Minister Chung referred to, "Today marks the 60th anniversary of the 2.28 Democratic Movement, when high school students in Daegu rose up against the rigged election conspiracy of the Rhee Syngman regime."

He said, "The 2.28 Democratic Movement was the first democratization movement after liberation and became a proud cornerstone of democracy in the Republic of Korea," and "On this meaningful day, the citizens of Daegu are engaged in a fierce battle against COVID-19 instead of holding a grand commemorative ceremony."

He also explained, "Daegu is a land of justice and patriotism," and "In 1907, when Japanese imperialism began to intensify, the National Debt Repayment Movement also started in Daegu."

He expressed, "Our history proudly remembers Daegu," and "The tradition of Daegu will continue in the fight against COVID-19. Daegu’s spirit of uniting in difficult times and ultimately achieving victory will surely overcome the current crisis."