Prime Minister Kim: "Step-by-step Return to Normal Life is the Path We Must Take... There Must Be Public Consensus"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 28th. 2021.9.28 Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 28th, "'Step-by-step daily recovery' is the path we must take," adding, "The starting point must ultimately be decided within the consensus of the people."

On the morning of the same day, Prime Minister Kim chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting at the Government Seoul Office and said, "Daily recovery will only be possible when the risk of infection is greatly reduced due to a high vaccination rate and the spread is controlled to a level that the medical system can sufficiently handle." He continued, "Even in this case, core quarantine rules such as wearing masks indoors must continue to be observed until the risk disappears," and added, "The government will calmly and steadily prepare the journey toward daily recovery by focusing on two things: 'speedy vaccination' and 'stable management of the quarantine situation.'"

Regarding the recent trend of COVID-19 confirmed cases, Prime Minister Kim expressed concern, saying, "The proportion of confirmed cases with unknown infection routes is approaching 40%," and "The spread is also increasing in non-metropolitan areas." With two consecutive weeks of holidays expected next month due to the substitute holidays for National Foundation Day and Hangeul Day, the amount of movement is also expected to increase. Prime Minister Kim said, "Based on past experience, when movement increases, meetings and contacts also increase, which clearly leads to the spread of infection," and urged, "Please actively cooperate with quarantine by refraining from movement and gatherings and thoroughly following personal quarantine rules."

He also said, "The number of confirmed foreign nationals is rapidly increasing around the Chuseok holiday," adding, "Recently, 16.2% of confirmed cases are foreign nationals residing in Korea, and in some cities and provinces, they account for about 30 to 40% of confirmed cases." He then urged related ministries and local governments, "Please expand diagnostic testing especially in densely populated foreign residential areas and workplaces, and actively encourage vaccination through foreign communities," emphasizing, "In particular, please pay special attention to guidance and publicity so that undocumented foreigners with unstable status can participate in testing and vaccination without hesitation."