"Jung Eun-kyung Called a K-Quarantine Hero? Controversy Over Current Doctor's SNS Post"

Regarding the Award Ceremony: "Told Citizens to Keep Physical Distance but Gathered for the Appointment Ceremony"

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is delivering a commemorative speech at the 'Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Opening Ceremony' held on the morning of the 14th at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Controversy has arisen over remarks made by a current doctor criticizing Jeong Eun-kyeong, the Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), questioning if she has done anything beyond briefings.

A current doctor, identified as A, who stated they work at a psychiatric clinic, posted on Facebook on the 12th, "Doctors usually avoid harsh criticism, but has Jeong Eun-kyeong done anything beyond status briefings?" They criticized, "Did she block entry from China, stop mask exports to China, block travel vouchers, or prevent temporary holidays?"

They continued, "It is embarrassing to call her a 'K-quarantine hero' just because she didn’t dye her hair and held briefings," and pointed out, "The COVID-19 testing rate does not even rank within the top 100 globally relative to population."

Regarding President Moon Jae-in’s visit to the KDCA and personally awarding Jeong the appointment certificate, they criticized, "The KDCA should set an example; how can they hold a gathering for an appointment ceremony while telling the public to practice physical distancing?"

A post by Dr. A, a practicing physician, uploaded on Facebook on the 11th. At the time, Dr. A criticized with the intent of questioning, "What else has Jeong Eun-kyung, the Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, done besides briefings?" / Photo by Facebook capture

After the post was published, controversy erupted on social networking services (SNS) and internet communities.

Some netizens criticized, saying, "This is disrespectful to someone who worked hard during the COVID-19 spread," and "What has the critic done to belittle others’ efforts?" Meanwhile, other netizens agreed with A’s opinion, commenting, "The real heroes are the frontline medical staff, but only the KDCA’s role is highlighted," and "It’s not about belittling Commissioner Jeong, but we should be cautious about glorifying a single expert as a hero."

Previously, on the 11th, President Moon personally visited the KDCA’s Emergency Response Center in Chungju, Cheongju, and presented the first appointment certificate to Commissioner Jeong as the inaugural head of the newly elevated agency.

On that day, President Moon said of Commissioner Jeong, "I think it is meaningful to hold the inaugural appointment ceremony together with the KDCA members who can be called the protagonists of the agency’s promotion," and encouraged them by saying the elevation of the KDCA reflects not just the government’s will but the public’s expectations, urging them to take infinite pride.

Meanwhile, on the 14th, at the opening ceremony held at the KDCA in Cheongju, Commissioner Jeong stated in her commemorative speech, "The KDCA was established amid the severe ongoing crisis of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)," emphasizing, "This reflects the stern will of the people and the government to overcome the COVID-19 crisis early and to respond professionally and systematically to new infectious diseases."

She added, "Even though it is difficult and exhausting, we must develop the responsibility and capabilities befitting the expanded organization and mission to overcome COVID-19," and said, "We are still in the middle of a stormy sea, but as the captain and a crew member of this new ship called the KDCA, I will be a colleague who completes the voyage with all of you until the end."