Mongolian Prime Minister Resigns Taking Responsibility for COVID-19 Infected Mother and Baby Exposed to Severe Cold

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyeon-jin] Mongolian Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhna has decided to resign, taking responsibility for exposing a COVID-19 infected mother and her baby to severe cold, AFP reported on the 21st (local time).

According to the report, Prime Minister Ukhna stated, "Unfortunately, we made a mistake during the transfer of that mother. Seeing how she was treated breaks my heart," adding, "As the Prime Minister, I must take responsibility."

Recently, Mongolian media broadcasted footage showing a mother, wearing only a hospital gown, holding her baby while being transferred from an ambulance to a hospital in minus 25 degrees Celsius cold, which sparked widespread criticism. According to Mongolian tradition, mothers and babies should not be exposed to cold for one month after childbirth.

The previous day, about 5,000 protesters gathered in the capital Ulaanbaatar to protest against the government. In this situation, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Mongolia's COVID-19 response and the Minister of Health also resigned, taking responsibility for the incident.

As of this day, Mongolia has 1,584 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths.