Prime Minister Jeong: "Considering Additional Designation of 'Special Disaster Areas' Depending on the Situation"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 15th, "Since the government's fight against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is still ongoing, we will continue to consider additional designations of special disaster areas depending on the damage situation in the regions."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that day, Prime Minister Chung stated, "Today, I formally proposed to the President the designation of Daegu and the Gyeongbuk regions of Cheongdo, Gyeongsan, and Bonghwa as special disaster areas, and the President immediately declared these areas as special disaster zones."

Prime Minister Chung added, "The sudden spread of COVID-19 has left a deep wound in Daegu and Gyeongbuk," explaining, "83% of confirmed cases and 87% of deaths are concentrated in Daegu and the Gyeongbuk regions of Cheongdo, Gyeongsan, and Bonghwa, causing serious human damage, and the daily lives and economic activities of 2.77 million local residents have come to a halt."

He continued, "There has never been a precedent for declaring a special disaster area due to damage caused by an infectious disease," and explained, "This decision reflects the government's determination to swiftly overcome the crisis in Daegu and Gyeongbuk at the national level."

Prime Minister Chung further stated, "Along with the recovery of damages in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, one of the urgent tasks is the protection and support of medical personnel who are fighting against COVID-19," emphasizing, "For medical staff who risk infection and fight the virus up close, supplies such as masks and protective suits are not only a matter of morale but also a matter of survival."

He also added, "The fight against COVID-19 must be prepared as a long-term battle and has become a war fought by countries around the world," noting, "How to protect medical personnel and how sufficiently medical resources are secured will be the key factors determining the outcome of the fight."

Prime Minister Chung urged, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare and related ministries should once again review whether there are any issues in the supply of quarantine supplies on site from a mid- to long-term perspective and devise protection and support measures for medical personnel."