Conservative Opposition United in Criticism of Government's Delayed Response to Wuhan Pneumonia... "Are They Appeasing China?" (Comprehensive)

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Opposition parties such as the Liberty Korea Party and the New Conservative Party have criticized the government's response to the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) as inadequate and have raised their voices demanding a complete ban on the entry of all foreigners who have visited the entire territory of China.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, stated in his opening remarks at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd, "The Wuhan pneumonia situation is no longer just an infectious disease issue. It is a comprehensive crisis involving security, livelihood, and the economy." He added, "Yesterday, the government announced a ban on the entry of foreigners who have visited Hubei Province in China within the last 14 days, but this was far too late," emphasizing, "We must completely restrict the entry of all foreigners who have recently visited the entire territory of China."

He also proposed restricting the overseas sale of domestic masks. Hwang said, "Our citizens are outraged over the 3 million masks sent to China," adding, "Our masks should be used by our own people. We need to refrain from selling domestic masks overseas and limit the quantity that foreign tourists can purchase."

He warned about the worsening livelihood economy due to Wuhan pneumonia. Hwang expressed concern, saying, "The anxiety caused by Wuhan pneumonia is paralyzing the livelihood economy. Streets and shops are becoming empty, various gatherings and events are being canceled one after another, and the tourism and lodging industries are suffering at a desperate level. The economic crisis in China directly translates into an economic crisis for us." In this regard, he also expressed his intention to prepare livelihood economic measures such as temporary deregulation and fiscal investment.

Shim Jae-cheol, floor leader, also stated, "The number of confirmed domestic Wuhan pneumonia cases has increased to 15, including the third confirmed case, but the government is fumbling and responding belatedly," and raised the need for a complete ban, saying, "They say they will block the entry of foreigners who have been to Hubei Province, but with 30,000 Chinese visiting Korea daily, blocking only Hubei Province is absurd." Cho Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member, also said, "To alleviate the public's anxiety, it is a wise choice to ban entry from the entire territory of China," urging, "The Chinese government should also stop Chinese people from traveling abroad to cooperate more with neighboring countries."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ha Tae-kyung, co-leader of the New Conservative Party, also said at a party leadership meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, "The ruling Democratic Party is playing the role of a hindrance rather than a helper in blocking the coronavirus," criticizing, "When our party said about a week ago that entry from the Wuhan area should be banned, they condemned us with truly hateful remarks calling it 'racist hatred.'"

He continued, "Because of the ruling party's attitude, the government has failed to take proactive measures and is only responding belatedly," criticizing, "Is the Democratic Party trying to control the coronavirus or just trying to appease China? They are not helping at all in preventing the spread and are only obstructing."

Oh Shin-hwan, co-leader, said, "The government's belated response is greatly spreading public anxiety and fear," pointing out, "Even though the spread of Wuhan pneumonia is showing a frightening pace, the government has decided to restrict entry starting tomorrow for all foreigners who have visited Hubei Province, the outbreak area of Wuhan pneumonia, but the disease has already spread throughout China."

He added, "While Korea-China relations are important, the health of our citizens must come first, so the government should consider a complete ban on entry from China as the Korean Medical Association suggests," criticizing, "More than 60 countries including the United States have imposed restrictions, so thinking that strengthening entry restrictions will worsen Korea-China relations is an excessive assumption."

Yoo Seung-min, chairman of the Conservative Reconstruction Committee, also said, "Under the recognition that the life and safety of our citizens come first, we must urgently consider and implement an entry ban," condemning, "If President Moon fails to prevent the spread of Wuhan pneumonia because he is trying to appease China, he will face the judgment of the people." He added, "Since the novel coronavirus is an unprecedented infectious disease, existing manuals are unlikely to work in this situation," emphasizing, "Instead of telling the public not to worry, the government needs to take proactive and strong measures."

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