Concerns Over Wuhan Pneumonia Spread... 'Request to Ban Entry of Chinese Nationals' 청와대 National Petition Surpasses 300,000 Signatures

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] As the novel coronavirus, which started in the Wuhan region of China and is called 'Wuhan pneumonia,' spreads not only in China but also to neighboring countries, a Blue House petition requesting 'ban on entry of Chinese nationals' has received more than 300,000 signatures.

The petition titled 'Request to Ban Entry of Chinese Nationals,' submitted on the 23rd, had garnered about 325,000 signatures by 4:15 PM on the 26th. After surpassing the Blue House's response threshold of 200,000 signatures earlier that day, an additional 100,000 signatures were collected in just half a day, showing a rapid increase in participation.

The petitioner stated, "The coronavirus originating from China is spreading," and added, "Even North Korea is banning entry of Chinese nationals, so I request a temporary ban on entry during the Chunjol (Chinese New Year) period." They further emphasized, "It won't be too late once it lands in our country," and stressed the need for proactive measures.

The Chinese Chunjol period is from the 24th to the 30th of this month. During this time, a large number of Chinese travelers are expected to visit Korea, raising concerns. So far, three confirmed cases have been reported domestically as of this day.

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in issued a public message regarding Wuhan pneumonia on Facebook that morning, stating, "The government, together with local governments, is making every necessary effort at all levels, so I ask the public to trust the government and not to have excessive anxiety about the necessary measures." He added, "Since there are many Chinese travelers and returnees, the government is maintaining vigilance during the Lunar New Year holiday period and operating a 24-hour response system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.