"Regret Over Government Decision" vs "Measures Required as a Nation" Debate on 'Wuhan Evacuee Reception'

720 Returnees from Wuhan Quarantined in Jincheon and Asan
Oh Se-hyun "No Consultation with Local Governments"
Yang Seung-jo "No Separation Between Central and Local Governments in National Crisis"

On the morning of the 30th, police were stationed in front of the main gate of the Chungnam Asan Police Human Resources Development Institute. Local residents in the area are protesting by blocking the road with agricultural machinery, demanding the reconsideration of the quarantine facility for evacuees from Wuhan, China. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The government has finalized plans to quarantine Korean nationals returning from Wuhan, China, by dividing them between public official training facilities in Jincheon, Chungbuk, and Asan, Chungnam. While Oh Sehyun, mayor of Asan, expressed regret over the government's decision, Yang Seungjo, governor of Chungnam Province, argued that it is an appropriate measure that the state must take, revealing a difference in stance regarding the acceptance of returnees from Wuhan.

On the 29th, the government announced that two temporary living facilities for Koreans returning from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, have been designated: the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan, Chungnam, and the National Human Resources Development Institute for Public Officials in Jincheon, Chungbuk.

It is known that 720 Korean nationals wish to return from Wuhan. They will enter through Gimpo Airport via chartered flights and then be dispersed and housed in Asan and Jincheon.

In response to this news, Mayor Oh Sehyun posted on his Facebook page that day, expressing regret, saying, "There was not a single consultation with the local government."

He pointed out, "Asan City expresses serious concerns about this decision," adding, "The decision to designate the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan as the facility for housing returnees from Wuhan lacks rational criteria and procedural validity."

He continued, "The location's suitability is also insufficient," arguing, "There are many floating populations near the Police Human Resources Development Institute, such as tourist spots like Sinjeongho and apartment complexes, and it lacks specialized facilities like negative pressure wards and rapid response systems."

Mayor Oh also criticized, "The frustration and anger of Asan citizens have reached a peak over the reason for the reversal from Cheonan to Asan," and "The decision being made in Asan due to political logic and power dynamics is fueling the sense of loss among Asan citizens."

He emphasized, "Asan City is not unconditionally opposed to the installation of the temporary housing facility for Wuhan returnees in Asan but requests that reasonable grounds for the decision be presented," adding, "Otherwise, Asan City and its citizens will have no choice but to oppose the decision."

In another post that day, Mayor Oh stated, "The most regrettable part of the selection process for the temporary living facility for returning nationals from Wuhan was that it was carried out without communication between central ministries and local governments, making it impossible to provide sufficient explanation to Asan citizens."

On the 29th, when the government was reported to quarantine Wuhan evacuees at public official training facilities in Asan, Chungnam, and Jincheon, Chungbuk, Asan residents blocked the entrance to the Police Human Resources Development Institute with agricultural machinery. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the other hand, Yang Seungjo, governor of Chungnam Province, argued, "I believe this decision is a measure that the state, which has the duty to protect its people, must take."

In a post on his Facebook page that day, Governor Yang said, "I cannot help but feel apologetic as the governor to the citizens of Asan who must bear the sacrifice in the face of the nation's disaster," but also stated, "Our Chungcheongnam-do believes that there can be no division between central and local governments in the face of a national crisis."

He added, "Our quarantine authorities' measures are clear," emphasizing, "The citizens who will enter the temporary living facilities are people who show no symptoms at all."

He explained, "At the first stage in China, medical staff screen for suspected symptoms such as fever over 37.5 degrees Celsius, vomiting, coughing, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Those suspected will board separate chartered flights, and after returning, a second screening will be conducted. Symptomatic individuals will be immediately transferred to medical facilities with negative pressure wards," adding, "The citizens housed in the regions will be completely isolated, with no outings or visits allowed. This is the government's firm intention to completely block transmission."

Governor Yang added, "We will manage thoroughly without any negligence to prevent any infection or other concerns that residents may have."

Earlier that day, Governor Yang held a press conference at the provincial government briefing room and explained that claims that "the plan to house returnees at the Cheonan Ujeong Public Official Training Center and the National Central Youth Training Center was changed to Asan and Jincheon due to local opposition" are not true.

Governor Yang stated, "For the selection of the temporary living facility in Asan, the government investigated five criteria including accommodation capacity, medical facilities with national quarantine beds, and accessibility," adding, "This place was selected because it scored highly in the evaluation, and it was absolutely not changed due to opposition from Cheonan residents."

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