Korean Party "Will Summon Ministry of Health for Status Report" VS Democratic Party "Prompt Response is Priority"

On the 27th, Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Novel Coronavirus
Liberty Korea Party: "Form TF and Push for Emergency Welfare Committee Inquiry"
Democratic Party: "Rapid Response to Infectious Diseases Is Crucial... Citizens Would Not Want to Be Kept in the Dark"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The ruling and opposition parties clashed over the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Liberty Korea Party criticized the government's response and announced plans to form a task force (TF) and push for a briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare on current issues. In response, the Democratic Party emphasized that "rapid response is crucial in infectious diseases" and stressed that the National Assembly should not cause confusion in the government's response. They also pointed out that "the Liberty Korea Party should not use the novel coronavirus as a political tool."

Shim Jae-cheol, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the morning of the 27th, stating, "Despite the worsening situation related to the novel coronavirus, President Moon Jae-in irresponsibly only says not to have excessive anxiety and to trust the government," and criticized, "Park Neung-hoo, the Minister of Health and Welfare, spoke about the proposal to ban entry of travelers from China as if it were someone else's issue and effectively rejected it."

Shim emphasized, "Our party will form a TF consisting of lawmakers from the medical community and external experts," adding, "We will thoroughly investigate the facts and prepare measures for patients and affected industries." He continued, "Assemblyman Shin Sang-jin will serve as the chair, and Assemblyman Kim Seung-hee will be the secretary," and added, "The TF will be composed of members including Lee Myung-soo, Kim Soon-rye, Yoo Jae-joong, Park In-sook, Yoon Jong-pil from the Health and Welfare Committee, Jeong Yang-seok from the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, and Park Deok-heum from the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee."

He also stated, "We will push for urgent inquiries through the relevant standing committee, the Health and Welfare Committee," and added, "We will also hold an expert invitation meeting chaired by the party leader at 3 p.m. today."

The Democratic Party clearly stated that the National Assembly should not cause confusion in the government's response.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at a press conference on the morning of the same day regarding Lunar New Year public sentiment held at the National Assembly, "It is important for the government to quickly establish and implement measures, but what we are trying to receive reports on might be considered undesirable by the public."

When asked, "Is the Democratic Party planning to form a task force (TF)?", he emphasized, "If necessary, we will respond that way, but for now, it is important not to cause confusion regarding the parts the health authorities are handling."

Cho Jung-sik, chairman of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, said, "First, politics and the National Assembly must support the government so that it can respond swiftly," adding, "There will likely be discussions within the party leadership starting tomorrow. If there is anything that the party or the National Assembly can support, we will respond promptly."

He pointed out, "While the opposition party can naturally point out the government's shortcomings, there should be no disparagement of the health authorities' diligent efforts to prepare countermeasures." He emphasized, "Rapid response is crucial for infections and epidemics, so it should never become a subject of political strife or a means to criticize the government."

The Democratic Party decided to prepare for the spread of the coronavirus by passing the Quarantine Act in the National Assembly and preparing economic damage countermeasures.

Floor leader Lee said, "In the case of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), the global economic loss reached 40 billion dollars," adding, "The party and government will protect the lives of our people while assessing the impact on the economy, such as tourism, and if risks expand, we will implement bold economic policies." Policy Committee Chairman Cho added, "We will expedite the passage of the Quarantine Act to enhance the response to novel infectious diseases," and noted, "The amendment to the Quarantine Act, proposed by Assemblyman Ki Dong-min, focuses on strengthening the quarantine system."

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