Prime Minister Jeong Calls Bereaved Families of COVID-19 Victims to Offer Condolences: "Sorry We Could Not Protect Them"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun called the family of the late internal medicine doctor Heo Young-gu, who died from COVID-19 in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, from his office at the Government Seoul Office immediately after the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response on the 5th to express his condolences.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun made a condolence call on the 5th to the bereaved family of the late internal medicine doctor Heo Young-gu, who died after being infected while treating patients with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions.

After the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response that day, Prime Minister Chung called the bereaved family from his office at the Government Seoul Office and expressed deep condolences, saying, "I am deeply sorry that we could not protect him, and I cannot contain my sorrow."

During the call, Prime Minister Chung promised, "Even amid the widespread COVID-19 infection in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, the late doctor's sacrifice, who steadfastly stayed at his post and did his best to treat patients, will not be in vain. The government will pay more attention to protecting medical personnel."

Prime Minister Chung also spoke with Jang Yu-seok, President of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Medical Association, and Lee Sung-gu, President of the Daegu Medical Association, conveying deep gratitude and respect for the dedication and efforts of medical staff, which have led to improvements in the situation in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions.

He said, "This time, the capability of our medical personnel has been proven to be the best in the world, and our medical staff are the treasures of the Republic of Korea who must be protected in the fight against COVID-19. The government will not forget that all our citizens are grateful to and supporting the medical personnel, and will take greater care and provide generous support to prevent any further sacrifices by medical staff."

Prime Minister Chung expressed concern that the death of a medical professional might lower the morale of medical personnel not only in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions but nationwide, and he listened to the difficulties faced by local medical staff.