"Getting Closer by Staying Apart" … Busan Mayor Emphasizes Practicing 'Social Distancing'

Oh Keo-don, Mayor of Busan

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jonghyo] "The more we keep our distance for two weeks, the closer our distance will be afterward. Let's distance ourselves to get closer."

Oh Keo-don, Mayor of Busan (photo), urged the public to strictly follow social distancing guidelines while announcing a public address regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation.

In the statement released on the 23rd, Mayor Oh said, "A crucial two-week period requiring our utmost effort has begun. The reopening of schools next month means our children, who are enduring suffocating days, and their parents, who are going through equally difficult times, will regain their daily lives."

He added, "More fundamentally, the reopening of elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as daycare centers and kindergartens, signals that our society as a whole is preparing to return to normal life," emphasizing the need to focus on high-intensity social distancing before the school reopening.

Mayor Oh also stated, "The government has already initiated extraordinary measures, including administrative orders. Busan City will respond strongly, including necessary legal actions," expressing the city's intention to take all possible administrative measures.

He expressed sympathy for citizens and related industries suffering due to COVID-19.

"The pain of companies involved in import and export, as well as those directly hit, and the sacrifices of non-regular workers and special employment workers will be unavoidable for some time," he said. "It is regrettable and sorry that the pain of socially vulnerable and disadvantaged groups will also continue for the time being."

He emphasized, "We will expedite the implementation of ongoing measures and mobilize all available resources to prepare additional damage relief measures."

Meanwhile, Busan City has instructed each district and county to conduct campaigns, perform on-site inspections of target facilities, and take follow-up actions such as prohibiting gatherings and assemblies through administrative orders if compliance is not met, to enforce social distancing.

For public officials, about one-third of each department will work from home, face-to-face meetings and business trips are basically prohibited, and after work, officials are urged to return home immediately and to lead by example in strengthening social distancing by postponing or canceling various meetings, events, and travels as much as possible.