[Full Text] President Moon: "No Compromise on Public Safety... All Necessary Measures Must Be Taken"

-"Over 700 Korean residents in Wuhan, China, to return home starting today... No confirmed or suspected infection cases identified"

-"Understanding the anxiety of local residents where temporary living facilities operate... Requesting cooperation"

-"Excessive anxiety and vague fear must be firmly confronted" Warning that fake news is a 'serious criminal act'

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the comprehensive review meeting on the response to the novel coronavirus infection held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the morning of the 30th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] President Moon Jae-in emphasized on the 30th regarding the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) outbreak from China, saying, "There can be no compromise on the safety of the people," and "We must prepare for all situations and take all necessary measures."

The government is expected to begin repatriation of over 700 Korean residents stranded in Wuhan, China, as early as this afternoon. In his opening remarks at the "Comprehensive Review Meeting on Novel Coronavirus Response" held at the Government Seoul Office at 10:30 a.m., President Moon said, "We understand the anxiety of local residents where temporary living facilities are operating," and "The government will manage everything meticulously so that there is no cause for concern." He also reiterated, "I promise again that there is no need to be anxious," and asked for understanding and cooperation.

Below is the full text of President Moon’s opening remarks.

[Full Text]

Today's meeting was convened to comprehensively review and discuss measures against the novel coronavirus infection. Provincial governors also participated via video conference. Thank you. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases and minimize the negative impact on the livelihood economy, please strengthen close communication and cooperation between the central government and local governments.

Starting today, the repatriation of over 700 of our compatriots stranded in Wuhan, China, will begin. Actual arrivals are expected to start from tomorrow. We thank the airlines and crew members who have cooperated. Wherever our citizens are, protecting their lives and safety is the state's natural duty. So far, no confirmed or suspected infection cases have been identified among the local Korean residents.

Also, in accordance with consultations with the Chinese government, the Korean residents will board temporary flights only if they show no symptoms after quarantine, and upon return, they will live in separate facilities isolated from the outside for a certain period and undergo testing. This is a measure to ensure the safety of returning residents and to prevent infection in local communities through perfect containment.

The government understands the anxiety of local residents where temporary living facilities operate. We have established sufficient countermeasures and will manage everything meticulously so that there is no cause for concern. We ask for your understanding and cooperation, and I reiterate that there is no need to be anxious. Furthermore, we will continue to cooperate with Chinese authorities regarding Korean residents remaining in China.

There can be no compromise on the safety of the people. We must prepare for all situations and take all necessary measures. Proactive preventive measures should be taken as early as possible and must be strong enough even if they seem excessive. We must maximize the response capabilities of the government and local governments and devote all efforts to preventing secondary infections. The ongoing full investigation of arrivals from the Wuhan area should be conducted swiftly, and the progress and results should be transparently disclosed. We ask those who cannot be contacted to voluntarily report themselves. For those showing symptoms or who have had contact with confirmed patients, monitoring and management systems need to be further strengthened.

Please accelerate the inspection of medical institutions' treatment and reporting systems, expansion of regional screening clinics and isolation beds in preparation for spread, and securing necessary personnel and supplies. Since confirmed cases have occurred in several countries besides China, the virus's entry routes may diversify. Please prepare enhanced quarantine measures at all airports and ports to cover this possibility.

What we must confront is not only the virus. We must firmly confront excessive anxiety and vague fear. The government can provide the most accurate information as quickly as possible. To prevent the public’s daily life from shrinking or unnecessary misunderstandings and speculation from arising, please disclose all necessary information transparently, promptly, and as detailed as possible from the public’s perspective.

In particular, I emphasize strict responses to fake news. No matter how excellent the quarantine system is, it is difficult to operate without trust. At a time when national capabilities must be united against the spreading novel infectious disease, the production and distribution of fake news that fosters distrust and anxiety obstructs quarantine efforts and endangers public safety, constituting a serious criminal act. Relevant ministries should be especially vigilant and respond firmly to fake news that exceeds freedom of expression. The role of the media is also important. Please unite your efforts to overcome the novel coronavirus quickly. I also request the political sphere to refrain from political strife on this issue.

On the other hand, there is concern about excessive economic sentiment contraction. We must ensure that anxiety does not affect normal economic activities. I especially urge all ministries, led by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, to thoroughly manage the economic situation. A comprehensive review and countermeasures are needed regarding the impact on our economy, including domestic and international financial market instability, exports, investment, and consumption. Difficulties in regional economies and service sectors such as tourism and accommodation may also increase. Please carefully examine the ripple effects by region and industry with local governments and prepare support measures that are as prompt and sufficient in scale as possible for areas requiring administrative and financial assistance.

Meanwhile, until the novel coronavirus situation in China stabilizes, difficulties for Korean companies operating locally are expected to increase. Please establish communication channels among relevant agencies, local companies, and economic organizations and actively support minimizing damages.

I also ask the public. The weapon to protect ourselves from the novel coronavirus is not fear and hatred but trust and cooperation. We have world-class quarantine capabilities. We also have experience accumulated from past cases. Moreover, the government is doing its best. If the public and local communities cooperate, we can overcome this sufficiently. The government will thoroughly perform its duties together with local governments, and if each citizen strictly follows preventive guidelines, we can minimize and overcome the damage caused by the novel coronavirus. Trusting the mature capabilities of our people, the government will also do its utmost.

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