Dongjak-gu Mayor Lee Chang-woo Returns to Work After 14-Day Hospitalization at Residential Treatment Center...

This District Mayor Tested Positive on the 15th, Admitted to Seoul Downtown Life Treatment Center, Completed 14-Day Mandatory Stay, Returned to Work on the 27th, and Apologized to Dongjak Residents via SNS

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Lee Chang-woo, mayor of Dongjak District, was confirmed positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized at a Seoul city life treatment center on the 14th, returning to work on the 27th.

The mayor felt unwell on the 15th, and after a COVID-19 test, he was confirmed positive and immediately admitted to the life treatment center. On the previous day, he wrote on his Facebook, "Today, I have returned to the district office. As mayor, I should protect the residents from COVID-19, but I apologize for not being able to protect myself and having to leave the quarantine site temporarily. I also thank you for your support and encouragement."

He also concluded, "During the isolation period after confirmation, I had a very precious time to reflect on the past. I will work even harder to fulfill the given mission."

The mayor set an unfortunate record as the first among the 25 Seoul district mayors to be hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19.

Following the mayor’s positive diagnosis, Deputy Mayor Bae Hyung-woo led the administration at Dongjak District Office. However, senior officials including the chief secretary who had contact with the mayor also underwent COVID-19 testing, raising concerns about administrative gaps.

In particular, it is known that the mayor was fully vaccinated but experienced a breakthrough infection.