"Small Business Owners Are Struggling... Dozens Gather for Photos?" Jeong Eun-gyeong Appointment Ceremony Sparks Social Distancing Violation Controversy

Self-Employed and Small Business Owners "We Are Suffering... Too Many Crowded Events, It's Unfair" Outraged
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency "We Will Make More Efforts to Set an Example by Following Quarantine Rules"
Experts "KDCA, Which Should Set an Example, Cannot Avoid Facing Criticism"

President Moon Jae-in presented the appointment certificate to Jung Eun-kyung, the inaugural Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, at the Emergency Situation Center of the Disease Control Headquarters in Cheongju, Chungbuk, on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] President Moon Jae-in personally visited the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to present the appointment letter to Jeong Eun-kyung, the inaugural Commissioner of the KDCA. However, criticisms have emerged that key figures present at the scene violated quarantine rules. In particular, as the quarantine authorities, who should set an example in managing COVID-19, showed a lax attitude, self-employed individuals and small business owners who temporarily suspended their operations while practicing social distancing are expressing their frustration.

Experts pointed out that since the KDCA, the control tower for COVID-19 response, showed negligence in social distancing, it was inevitable that they would face criticism.

On the 11th, the appointment ceremony for Jeong Eun-kyung, the inaugural Commissioner of the KDCA, was held at the Emergency Situation Center of the Disease Control Headquarters in Cheongju, Chungbuk. On that day, President Moon personally visited the center to present the appointment letter to Commissioner Jeong.

At the scene, dozens of employees gathered and applauded. Although the employees wore masks, they took photos closely together without maintaining proper social distancing.

Once this fact became known, voices of criticism arose regarding the failure to follow quarantine rules at the frontline KDCA site.

On the 13th, a petition titled "(Hypocrisy) Small business owners are dying because they were forced to suspend operations due to risk... President visiting the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and the Central Disease Control Headquarters!! Is it okay for so many people to gather closely like this?" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner mentioned the appointment ceremony attended by President Moon, saying, "Small business owners fully understand that the President came down to encourage the promotion of the Disease Control Headquarters to an agency and their hard work," but added, "While following the (quarantine) orders, with no customers and forced to suspend operations, small business owners wonder what kind of feelings they should have when they see public officials standing tightly packed together taking photos."

They continued, "Small business owners are now dying of thirst," and appealed, "The work of public officials is COVID-19 quarantine, and if done well, they deserve praise, but on the other side, many people are suffering economic and family ruin." As of 8 a.m. on the 15th, the petition had received 904 endorsements.

Jeong Eun-kyeong, the first Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is greeting after receiving the appointment letter from President Moon Jae-in on the 11th at the Emergency Situation Center of the Disease Control Headquarters in Cheongju, Chungbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

In the political sphere, criticism has also arisen that the Commissioner’s appointment ceremony violated 'Social Distancing Level 2.' Park Soo-young, a member of the People Power Party, criticized during a political question session at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 14th, "President Moon visited the KDCA to present the appointment letter. It was the first time he personally went down, and it was a very good decision, but he did not follow quarantine rules."

Looking at photos from the appointment ceremony, Rep. Park said, "About 100 people were in close contact," and added, "Citizens are postponing weddings, unable to attend church, and unable to receive customers at their stores, yet they silently follow the government's quarantine rules. But the President himself violated Social Distancing Level 2 while holding the event. Is this normal?"

Former lawmaker Cha Myung-jin also claimed on his Facebook on the 14th that President Moon violated the order banning indoor gatherings of more than 50 people. Cha said, "On August 15, Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun, head of the Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters, solemnly ordered a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 50 people," and "However, on the 11th, at the KDCA Commissioner appointment ceremony, the President held an indoor gathering of more than 50 people."

He further criticized, "Is the desperate cry of restaurant owners who say it’s the same whether they starve to death or die from COVID-19 trivial?"

On the other hand, some argue that there is no problem as quarantine rules such as mask-wearing were properly followed. Office worker Kim (28) said, "I saw the appointment ceremony photos and don’t think there was much of a problem," adding, "It wasn’t an event that lasted for hours. They didn’t lower their masks to eat or talk during the event, so I think such criticism is unfair."

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

As the controversy spread, Commissioner Jeong stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters regular briefing on the 14th, "During the appointment letter presentation, quarantine rules such as temperature checks, symptom checks, record-keeping, and registration were observed," and "The appointment ceremony was held in the Emergency Situation Room, so some employees who were working there temporarily participated."

She added, "I apologize for the pain and sense of disconnect that small business owners felt upon seeing such scenes," and "We will be more cautious and strive to set an example in observing quarantine rules."

Additionally, the KDCA stated in a press release, "The indoor limit of 50 people and outdoor limit of 100 people do not apply to government and public institution official duties or essential business activities of companies. The President’s visit during the appointment letter presentation falls under government official duties," and "Employees complied with quarantine rules such as regular temperature checks, mask-wearing, and hand hygiene while working, and those not on duty in the Emergency Situation Room were continuously instructed to leave before the ceremony."

Regarding some criticisms, they said, "As the quarantine authority, we will make further efforts to set an example in complying with quarantine rules."

Experts pointed out that the quarantine authorities, who should set an example, showed a complacent attitude.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "The KDCA, which should set an example, showed negligence in social distancing, which is why criticism is arising," adding, "Of course, it is a congratulatory and very meaningful event, but the KDCA, where employees who went to conduct epidemiological investigations also return, seems to have taken the risk too lightly."

He continued, "Since it is the frontline situation room for COVID-19 response, utmost safety should have been ensured," and "The appointment ceremony should have been held either non-face-to-face or with proper social distancing."