President Moon: "Considering Raising Social Distancing to Level 3... Critical Phase" (Update)

Emergency Chairing of COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting... Second Time Since Last February

President Moon Jae-in is removing his mask before speaking at the Emergency Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ) meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 13th. 2020.12.13 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in said on the 13th, "If we fail to curb the current spread, we must consider raising social distancing to Level 3, a critical phase," adding, "This is indeed a serious and emergency situation."

On the same day at 3 p.m., President Moon urgently presided over a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) for COVID-19 at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "There is no place to retreat anymore," and emphasizing, "This is a critical time when we must concentrate all quarantine capabilities and administrative power to fully prevent the spread of COVID-19."

This was the second time President Moon chaired a CDSCH meeting since February. The meeting was held to review government and local government measures amid an emergency situation where daily new confirmed cases surpassed 1,000, marking the highest number ever recorded. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, ministers from 10 other departments, and the Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. Provincial governors across the country participated via video conference.

President Moon defined the current situation as "the greatest crisis since the domestic inflow of COVID-19," stating, "The pain and damage that would be experienced by raising social distancing to Level 3 are unimaginable," and stressed, "This is the time to respond with full force, betting on the success or failure of K-quarantine."

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over an emergency Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting to respond to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 13th. 2020.12.13 [Photo by Yonhap News]

President Moon also emphasized "speed," saying, "The fundamental way to quickly suppress the spread is to find infected individuals as quickly as possible through rapid and widespread testing and to break the chain of transmission," adding, "We must control COVID-19 in a short period with faster testing and proactive quarantine measures that outpace the virus's transmission speed." He further urged, "The government, local governments, and the private sector must work together to ensure thorough preparation in securing hospital beds and residential treatment centers."

President Moon appealed especially to the public, saying, "This is the final hurdle until vaccines and treatments become available. Until then, practicing social distancing is the strongest vaccine and treatment." He continued, "Given the emergency situation, please refrain from meetings and travel as much as possible," and requested, "Strictly adhere to enhanced social distancing and temporarily pause routine meetings and activities."

President Moon concluded his remarks by stating, "Raising social distancing to Level 3 is the last resort," and said, "The CDSCH should prepare thoroughly in advance for that possibility and make bold decisions if deemed unavoidable." The CDSCH then switched to a closed session to begin discussions.

As of midnight that day, the daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea reached 1,030, the highest ever recorded. This was the first time daily cases exceeded 1,000. Accordingly, the government is expected to consider the possibility of raising social distancing to Level 3 and begin reviewing related measures.