Jeon Hae-cheol "80% of infections in the metropolitan area... Please refrain from unnecessary private gatherings as much as possible"

Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held on the morning of the 15th at the Government Sejong 2 Complex in Sejong City.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] As of midnight on the 15th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen again to the 2,000 range, with 80% of the locally transmitted cases occurring in the Seoul metropolitan area. With increased population movement ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the spread of infections is intensifying, prompting authorities to raise concerns about further transmission.

Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures meeting at the Government Sejong Complex that morning and warned, "Today (the 15th), the number of confirmed cases is expected to exceed 2,000, with infections in the Seoul metropolitan area accounting for about 80% of the total."

Deputy Head Jeon added, "At this point before the Chuseok holiday, there is a significant concern about the spread of infections to non-metropolitan areas," and urged, "We ask the public to strictly adhere to quarantine guidelines and to refrain as much as possible from unnecessary private gatherings."

The authorities are also cautious about the recent sharp increase in the proportion of foreign nationals among domestic cases. Deputy Head Jeon stated, "The proportion of foreigners among domestic confirmed cases is about 15%, showing a continuous upward trend over the past eight weeks," and added, "We will conduct special quarantine inspections of facilities and workplaces densely populated by foreigners." He further mentioned that proactive testing and focused promotion of vaccination participation will be carried out targeting foreign residents.

He also expressed expectations for a phased return to normal life, noting that the first-dose COVID-19 vaccination rate has reached 67% (34.58 million people). Deputy Head Jeon said, "As the number of fully vaccinated individuals increases, we will continue to expand incentives such as easing social distancing and quarantine rules."

Finally, he said, "Typhoon No. 14 'Chantu' is expected to directly affect our country from tomorrow through the weekend," and urged, "Local governments and related agencies should thoroughly implement preventive measures for vulnerable facilities in preparation for heavy rain and strong winds, and especially ensure thorough safety management of temporary screening clinics and vaccination centers where COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are ongoing."