Welfare Ministry Staff Confirmed with COVID-19... Minister Kwon Deok-cheol Tests 'Negative'

Minister Kwon to Undergo Retesting in 2-3 Days

Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol is attending the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19 Response' held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] One employee of the Ministry of Health and Welfare tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the 26th. Minister Kwon Deok-cheol, who was possibly in close contact with the employee, underwent diagnostic testing and received a negative result while self-isolating.

On the same day, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced through a notice, "A Ministry of Health and Welfare employee tested positive this afternoon, and an epidemiological investigation is currently underway," adding, "Due to the employee's positive diagnosis, Minister Kwon was classified as a close contact and underwent COVID-19 testing, which returned a negative result."

They continued, "(Minister Kwon) is currently self-isolating," and "If he is classified as a close contact based on the epidemiological investigation results, measures such as a two-week self-quarantine and additional testing upon symptom onset will be implemented according to relevant guidelines."

Although the test result was negative, since Minister Kwon had contact with the confirmed case, he is expected to undergo another test in about 2 to 3 days. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has canceled both the Health and Medical Development Council working-level meeting and the Legislative-Executive Council meeting scheduled for the 27th.

Minister Kwon had a busy schedule on the day, attending the CDSCH meeting and the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong, as well as the COVID-19 vaccination Legislative-Executive Joint Committee meeting at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The previous day, he also participated in a joint briefing on the New Year work plans of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Notably, the briefing was attended by Jeong Eun-kyeong, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and Kim Gang-rip, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, who are leading domestic COVID-19 prevention efforts. Although Commissioner Jeong was not classified as a close contact, she proactively underwent COVID-19 testing as a preventive measure and is awaiting the results.

This is not the first time a Ministry of Health and Welfare employee has tested positive for COVID-19. In March of last year, one Ministry official was also confirmed positive. At a similar time, Commissioner Kim (former 1st Vice Minister of Health and Welfare) was classified as a close contact and entered a two-week self-quarantine.