Ahn Cheol-soo: "We Are Short of Masks Ourselves Because We Sent Them to China"

"Protecting Citizens' Lives and Safety Comes Before Appeasing China"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo criticized President Moon Jae-in on the 7th, saying, "You said people come first," and added, "The lives and safety of our people come before worrying about China. Quarantine and politics must be separated."

On the same day, Ahn said on Facebook, "We are short of masks even in medical sites because we sent masks to China," and "It is time to impose a temporary entry ban on all of China, but we are only blocking the already sealed-off Wuhan area while worrying about China. Despite this, our government even received an insulting reprimand from the Chinese ambassador to Korea, saying 'I do not appreciate it much,'" he said.

He pointed out, "We missed the golden time, increased public anxiety, and are being diplomatically ignored," and added, "This is an example showing what results come from being obsessed with ideology and working only, only, only for 1,000 days."

He continued, "Diplomacy that risks or weighs the lives of the people is unacceptable," and added, "The lives and safety of the people are the top priority, and we must gather wisdom to protect national interests. That is the essence of diplomacy."

Former lawmaker Ahn emphasized, "Also, personal information of confirmed and reported cases must be firmly protected, but the movement paths of confirmed cases should be transparently disclosed," and said, "Only then can the people trust the government authorities and protect themselves."

Ahn said, "If decisions are delayed, lives will be lost and national interests will be missed," and added, "Now is the time to act."

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