Jung Sye-kyun: "Thorough Inspection of Distribution Disorder Acts Fueling Price Inflation"

Opening Remarks at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 3rd. 2021.2.3 Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged on the 3rd, about a week before the Lunar New Year holiday, "Local governments should closely inspect the actual conditions on the ground to ensure there are no distribution order disturbances that could fuel price inflation."

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 at the Government Seoul Office and said in his opening remarks, "As the holiday approaches, the burden of grocery prices on ordinary citizens is increasing." He added, "The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs should steadily implement the 'Lunar New Year Livelihood Stabilization Measures,' including expanding the supply of Lunar New Year seasonal products."

Regarding the quarantine situation, he expressed tension, saying, "This week is one in which we cannot afford to lower our guard due to the unstable COVID-19 situation," and "Since the infection trend this week will determine whether additional quarantine measures are necessary, each day is very important."

He continued, "Especially with the Lunar New Year holiday and vaccinations ahead, we must unite our efforts for thorough quarantine management to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19." He requested restraint in travel during the holiday, saying, "Those who could not visit their hometowns during last Chuseok must feel great regret, but this Lunar New Year, being together in spirit rather than in person is a consideration and love for family."

Prime Minister Chung also said, "About 2,000 public health doctors are fighting COVID-19 on the front lines nationwide," and urged, "The quarantine authorities should closely examine the working conditions of the public health doctors deployed to the COVID-19 frontlines and carefully review any improvement measures."