[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] An employee of the Ministry of Justice, who works on the same floor as Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Disinfection measures for the floor have been completed, and the Ministry of Justice is currently identifying contacts and preparing additional measures.
According to the Ministry of Justice on the 2nd, one employee of the Ministry of Justice Innovation Administration Office recently tested positive for COVID-19. This employee worked on the 7th floor of the Ministry of Justice building, including over the past weekend.
The 7th floor of the Ministry of Justice houses the offices of senior officials. The Minister's office, Vice Minister's office, Planning and Coordination Office, and spokesperson's office are all located here. On the 1st, the Ministry of Justice Inspection Committee meeting was also held in the large conference room on the 7th floor.
Currently, the Innovation Administration Office, where the confirmed case was found, has placed all personnel except essential staff under self-quarantine. The Ministry is verifying the movements and close contacts of other personnel with the confirmed case, and it is known that Minister Choo did not have overlapping movements with the confirmed employee.
However, considering that government agencies have typically closed the affected floor for one day and sent all personnel home immediately when a confirmed case was found, there remains a possibility that Minister Choo may also need to go home. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety's building management office recommended closing the floor to the Ministry of Justice, but the Ministry has stated that it will decide after consulting with the local health center. Meanwhile, Minister Choo arrived at the Ministry of Justice after 9 a.m. that day.
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