Mayor Lee Yong-seop Discusses COVID-19 Overcoming Strategies with Archbishop Kim Hee-jung

Archbishop Kim Dae-ju: "Proactive Measures by Mayor and Officials Prevent Further Spread"

Mayor Lee: "Announcement to Suspend Masses Contributes to Preventing Further Spread"

Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop is meeting with Kim Hee-jung, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] On the 27th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, met with Archbishop Kim Hee-jung, head of the Catholic Diocese of Gwangju, to discuss measures to overcome COVID-19 and other pressing issues.

Archbishop Kim Hee-jung stated, “The people are experiencing many difficulties due to COVID-19, and the Catholic Church has actively supported by suspending Masses and providing 1,400 related products to relieve the accumulated fatigue of confirmed patients and overworked personnel.”

He added, “It is natural for the religious community to actively participate in national policies when a national disaster occurs. The Catholic Church will continue to cooperate actively for the safety of citizens.”

In response, Mayor Lee Yong-seop explained, “Infectious diseases are a race against time. To avoid missing the golden time at the early stage of the first confirmed case, the joint countermeasure meeting with related organizations held that day included the Shincheonji side in the T/F, received the list of 11 attendees of the Shincheonji Daegu Church service, requested tests for them, and isolated 7 confirmed cases early to prevent further spread.”

He added, “During additional investigations by Gwangju City and autonomous districts, some new Shincheonji facilities were identified, and to enhance the completeness of additional spread prevention measures, a forced closure administrative order was issued today.”

The mayor expressed his gratitude again, saying, “Archbishop Kim Hee-jung’s proactive announcement to suspend Masses had a positive effect on preventing further spread of COVID-19.”

Meanwhile, Archbishop Kim visited the Gwangju City Hall Disaster Situation Room and encouraged public officials on emergency duty, saying, “As a citizen, I thank the public officials who are working tirelessly and devotedly.”

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