Lee Nak-yeon: "We Will Definitely Overcome COVID-19... Will Respond with Experience as 'Safety Prime Minister'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Lee Nak-yeon, former Prime Minister and co-chairman of the Democratic Party, stated regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), "Based on my experience as the 'Safety Prime Minister,' I will do my best to overcome this."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 24th, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly in his capacity as chairman of the Party's Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Committee, saying, "While serving as Prime Minister until this year, I successfully suppressed MERS, avian influenza, and African swine fever, and have experience in stably responding to natural disasters such as the wildfires in Gangwon Province and Typhoon Mitag in Gyeongbuk and Gangwon."

The Democratic Party, during the morning Supreme Council meeting, expanded and elevated the existing 'COVID-19 Countermeasures Special Committee' to the 'COVID-19 Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Committee' and appointed Lee as its chairman.

He said, "There has been a rapid increase in symptomatic and confirmed cases centered around the activity locations of a specific religious group, proving that mass gatherings in enclosed spaces are extremely dangerous. In response, the government is taking emergency measures."

He added, "The Democratic Party will cooperate with the government and devote all efforts to quickly calm and resolve the COVID-19 situation. Especially, the 'COVID-19 Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Committee,' which I chair, will play a central role."

He emphasized, "The public's hygiene awareness is thorough, and our medical system and standards are globally high. The government has begun ultra-strong measures that go beyond regulations. Let us trust our medical system, the government's management capabilities, and especially our people's ability to respond, and overcome the COVID-19 crisis."

In the following Q&A session, regarding the 'election postponement theory' mentioned in some political circles, Lee responded, "We are not considering that at this point. The end of the situation is not something we can decide on our own, and we must also consider China's circumstances," adding, "We hope to enter a stable phase as soon as possible."

Regarding the supplementary budget (supplementary appropriations) for COVID-19 response, he added, "The government has agreed with the party's supplementary budget policy. Plans have been made internally, and a comprehensive announcement will be made soon."

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