[Q&A] "Scientific Evidence and Expertise-Based Response as the Philosophy of Quarantine"

Jung Eun-kyung, Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), attributed praise from foreign media regarding her leadership in responding to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Korea to "the capabilities of the government and local governments."

On the 10th, during a regular briefing of the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the domestic status of COVID-19, Director Jung responded to a question about her impressions after reading a recent article about her leadership published by the U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Regarding the KDCA's quarantine philosophy, she emphasized, "Infectious disease management based on scientific evidence and expertise," adding, "That is the reason the agency exists."

Earlier, leadership expert Sam Walker introduced Director Jung in detail in a WSJ op-ed on the 5th, stating that heads of health authorities worldwide have emerged as "real heroes" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walker evaluated, "Director Jung's consistent and honest remarks, information-based analysis, and patient composure are powerful to the public," and "In heightened crisis situations, people instinctively trust Director Jung and believe what she says to be true." He also introduced that "on social networking services (SNS), people called Director Jung a 'warrior' and 'hero.'"

The following are key Q&A from Director Jung’s briefing on leadership evaluation and more

- Recently, the Wall Street Journal published a report highly praising your leadership, which became a hot topic. First, thank you for your hard work. Could you share your impressions after reading the article and explain your usual quarantine philosophy?

▲That is a difficult question. I believe that responding to COVID-19 is absolutely not the work of the Disease Control Headquarters alone. As the crisis level was raised to a serious stage, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters was formed under the Prime Minister’s leadership, and various ministries, especially the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, have taken the lead with all related ministries actively participating in the COVID-19 response. Additionally, local governments have joined in, and through active cooperation between the central government and local governments, as well as active participation from healthcare workers and other social sectors, we are responding to COVID-19. I always express my gratitude to many stakeholders. I see this as the result of the national government’s and local governments’ crisis response capabilities. The KDCA’s philosophy and reason for existence is always to manage infectious diseases based on scientific evidence and expertise.

- After the 31st confirmed case in Daegu, no new confirmed cases have occurred for 53 days. Some experts predict that the possibility of a second large outbreak is low because a significant number of Daegu citizens have developed antibodies to COVID-19.

▲Since 7 to 8 hospitals are still under cohort isolation and periodic testing is ongoing, additional patients may still emerge. In Daegu, an overwhelming number of patients occurred in a short period, which was very difficult to manage. Many medical institutions were exposed and closed, and healthcare workers were quarantined, causing the medical system to be paralyzed, which was a very serious challenge. However, many healthcare workers nationwide supported Daegu and Gyeongbuk medical staff, and under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and local governments cooperated to introduce residential treatment centers. Other cities and provinces supported beds and medical personnel, and through private cooperation and social solidarity, we were able to overcome a very difficult crisis. I interpret the question as asking, "Has community infection already occurred to some extent, creating herd immunity?" The quarantine authorities also sincerely hope that many people have developed herd immunity and that those who have been infected once do not get infected again. Research is still ongoing on how immunity is formed after COVID-19 infection. We have introduced antibody testing methods to investigate and study herd immunity formation, and if there is an opportunity, I believe it is necessary to plan an evaluation of immunity levels in Daegu and other regions.

- What was roughly discussed at the first residential quarantine meeting held this morning, and what are the future operational plans?

▲There was a first report and discussion on the concept of residential quarantine and detailed guidelines for each sector. Many opinions were given, and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will organize them and provide a separate opportunity to explain. The future operational plan is to hold the committee regularly to discuss response measures or implementation plans for residential quarantine in each sector, as well as institutional support plans. We have scheduled to hold the committee again in about two weeks.