Ahn Cheol-soo: "Measures Such as School Closures and Remote Work Should Be Taken Even for Just One Week"

"When to Follow 'Expert Judgment' Instead of Political Judgment"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 24th regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation, “We should take measures such as school closures, bans on gatherings, and encouraging telecommuting at companies for at least one week, objectively assess the situation, and then consider additional measures.”

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building that day, Ahn said, “This is an emergency situation,” and added, “There is a possibility that more patients will occur over the next week.”

He emphasized, “Since the first line of defense has now collapsed, we need to shift from the previous containment strategy to a damage minimization strategy,” and said, “First, we must reduce the speed of spread and the number of deaths by refraining from gatherings as much as possible. Then, we need to switch to a method of enduring until a treatment is developed.”

He continued, “A presidential address is necessary,” and added, “The president should honestly disclose the shortcomings in the initial response, the current situation assessment, quarantine measures, and livelihood measures, and ask the public to trust the government and cooperate.”

Ahn stated, “The task force should be expert-centered rather than bureaucrat-centered, and decision-making must prioritize the lives and safety of the people,” and said, “Issues involving public health and quarantine that affect the lives and safety of the people should not be driven by political judgment. In other words, it is time to follow expert judgment rather than political judgment.”

He said, “Although this is a crisis situation, our medical staff and quarantine experts possess world-class capabilities,” and added, “If we all unite and work together, we will be able to overcome this crisis wisely.”

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