Kim Kang-lip, 1st Senior Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare). Source=Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Heung-soon and Cho Hyun-ui] It has been confirmed that Kim Kang-rip, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, attended a meeting with Lee Sang-yong, director of Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, who tested positive for COVID-19, triggering an emergency response at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH). All eight ministry officials who attended the meeting, including Vice Minister Kim, have entered self-quarantine.
Yoon Tae-ho, Head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters' Quarantine General Division (Public Health Policy Officer at the Ministry of Health and Welfare), said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 18th, "Vice Minister Kim and other ministry officials are self-quarantining as a preventive measure," adding, "Additional measures or responses may be necessary depending on the results of the epidemiological investigation."
On the afternoon of the 13th, Vice Minister Kim and seven other Ministry of Health and Welfare officials held a meeting with university and general hospital directors from the metropolitan area at 'Dalgaebi' in the China Conference House in Seoul.
The results of the epidemiological investigation are expected to be released later that afternoon. Yoon said, "The ministry officials were not notified by the public health center as subjects for self-quarantine but returned home this morning as a preventive measure," adding, "Whether they wore masks during the meeting requires further confirmation through the epidemiological investigation."
◇Below is a Q&A with Head Yoon regarding Vice Minister Kim's self-quarantine
- Does Vice Minister Kim currently show any suspicious symptoms?
▲ It is not appropriate to provide detailed information about symptoms at this time. The self-quarantine is a voluntary measure taken to prepare for any possible situation.
- If the position of the CDSCH's 1st General Coordinator, held by Vice Minister Kim, becomes vacant, who will take over the duties?
▲ The Director of the Health and Medical Office can continue the duties.
- The eight Ministry of Health and Welfare officials who attended the meeting likely had contact with several others within the ministry since the 13th.
▲ Since this question assumes their infection, it is inappropriate to provide detailed answers.
- Does this mean Vice Minister Kim may not be a contact person?
▲ Yes. An epidemiological investigation is underway regarding all facts and circumstances at the time. Contact classification will be made after the investigation is complete. It is difficult to make a judgment at this stage.
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