"Additional Transport Demand Survey for Wuhan Evacuees, Deployment of Charter Flights Undecided" (Breaking)

Overseas Koreans from Wuhan, China, are disembarking from a charter flight that landed at Gimpo Airport on the morning of the 31st of last month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The government conducted a demand survey to bring additional Korean residents in Wuhan, China, but stated that specific measures such as deploying temporary flights have "not yet been decided."

Kim Kang-rip, Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for the Novel Coronavirus Infection (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 8th, "No concrete plans have been decided regarding the additional deployment of temporary flights to transport Korean residents in Wuhan."

He added, "I understand that the Consulate General in Wuhan has unofficially conducted a demand survey related to the use of temporary flights in preparation for future changes in the situation," and "If additional flights are operated, plans to repatriate Chinese family members and families of our nationals will also be reviewed."

Previously, 701 Koreans residing in the Wuhan area returned to Korea on government-chartered flights in two rounds on January 31 and February 1. They are currently quarantined and living at the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan, Chungnam, and the National Human Resources Development Institute for Public Officials in Jincheon, Chungbuk.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "Some residents have complained of fatigue due to prolonged quarantine life, and on the 7th, a total of 60 medical services were provided, including 44 general medical consultations and 16 psychological support sessions." Under the judgment of medical staff and epidemiologists, specimens were collected from a total of 5 cases (in Asan) for diagnostic testing, and all results came back negative.

The quarantine authorities also conducted individual disinfection of the room where a Korean resident staying at the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan was confirmed as the 24th domestic case on the 6th.

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