Seomin: "A government practicing political quarantine... Blaming Jeon Gwang-hoon and people in their 20s for the surge in confirmed cases"

"Normal countries have presidents who protect the people"
"Only the merits are taken, but the faults are passed on to the people"

Professor Seomin, Dankook University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Professor Seomin from Dankook University strongly criticized the government's COVID-19 quarantine policy, saying it is "political quarantine." He claimed that every time the number of confirmed cases surges, the government shifts the blame onto the public, such as Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church and young people in their 20s and 30s.

On the 11th, Professor Seo wrote on his blog, "There is a famous saying in the soccer world, 'Overhype leads to certain defeat.' Although it is a soccer term, it is widely applicable and fits well with COVID-19 quarantine measures." He pointed out, "Last June, our government, which valued economic growth rate over public safety, prepared drastic measures to stimulate consumption. They said if you eat out five times, you get a 10,000 won discount, and if you book movies, art galleries, or indoor sports facilities, you get discount coupons."

He continued, "The government's generosity made the public complacent, and the tragedy that followed was the massive COVID-19 outbreak in mid-August." He acknowledged that Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church provided an excuse, but argued that the fundamental cause was the government's overhype. He explained that the government's support measures to stimulate consumption were the main cause of the surge in confirmed cases.

Professor Seo also said, "The decision by Seoul City to allow Park Won-soon's five-day funeral likely had an impact." He criticized, "Nevertheless, the Moon administration kept insisting that Jeon Gwang-hoon was the sole cause, and Noh Young-min even made the infamous 'murderer' remark in the National Assembly."

Regarding the ongoing fourth wave, Professor Seo criticized, "The government's promise to lift mask mandates in July turned out to be a lie." He added, "Even if things return to normal, disappointment will be great, but now they are raising social distancing to level 4, something they have never done before. The sighs of the people echo in my ears, to the point that I might develop tinnitus."

As the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has exceeded 1,000 for three consecutive days, citizens are lining up to get tested at the Yeongdeungpo-gu Public Health Center screening clinic in Seoul on the afternoon of the 11th. / Photo by Yonhap News

He further stated, "A quarantine backward country with a 30% vaccination rate tried to imitate advanced quarantine countries by floating trial balloons, which made the public complacent and ultimately led to a surge in confirmed cases." He criticized, "The ones who should reflect are obviously the government, but the Moon administration, which has distanced itself from apologies, targets the 20s and 30s, warning them not to roam around."

Professor Seo said, "Die-hard Moon supporters say presidents protect them, but in a normal country, the president protects the people." He pointed out, "If a government only takes credit and shifts blame to the people, it might be better not to have such a government at all."

Earlier, the government sparked controversy over "shifting responsibility" by urging the 20s and 30s to refrain from outdoor activities to prevent the fourth wave. Critics argue that blaming the young generation, which has the lowest vaccination rate among all age groups, as the main cause of the infectious disease spread is unfair.

On the 7th, the government posted a notice titled "Extension of the current social distancing system to block the spread of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area" on official social media accounts such as Twitter and Facebook. The notice included the phrase, "We ask those in their 20s and 30s to get tested even if you have no symptoms. Please refrain from gatherings and dinners for the time being." This phrase has since been removed from the current poster.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum emphasized in a policy speech related to the second supplementary budget at the National Assembly on the 8th, "Confirmed cases are rapidly increasing among the active young people in their 20s and 30s. To those in their 20s and 30s in the metropolitan area who hold the key to quarantine, please endure a little more."

This sparked backlash mainly from young people. Young netizens criticized, saying, "Are you blaming people in their 20s?", "At least vaccinate them before criticizing," and "Isn't this fostering generational conflict?"