'Falling and Infected'... Daegu-Gyeongbuk 'Gongmunwon' Fighting for Survival

Accumulated Fatigue from Long-Term Emergency Duty
Unable to Handle Regular Tasks... Fully Focused on COVID-19
Despite This, Numerous False Defamations and Broken Morale
Challenges of 'Closure + Work Suspension' Amid Rising Infections

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin is announcing special measures related to the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the afternoon of the 1st at the situation room on the 2nd floor of Daegu City Hall. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Daegu·Gyeongbuk=Asia Economy Reporter Mun Je-won] As new coronavirus infections (COVID-19) continue to surge daily in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, local government officials are facing increasing difficulties. Not only the COVID-19 related departments but also general public officials have been accumulating fatigue due to prolonged emergency duties, while the number of infected officials is also rising. Some critics are blaming the officials for failing to contain the situation, which is severely damaging morale.

According to frontline officials on the 5th, public officials in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, where about 90% of the nationwide COVID-19 cases have occurred, are experiencing significant disruptions in their regular work. In Daegu, after the first confirmed case was reported on the 18th of last month and the transmission rate accelerated, all efforts have been focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

An official working in Dong-gu, Daegu, said, "Many departments have come to a complete stop depending on the type of work," adding, "The situation is so serious that regular duties have effectively been put on the back burner." Meanwhile, as the 'social distancing' campaign is promoted, frontline public services involving frequent face-to-face contact, such as welfare and civil complaints, inevitably face setbacks. Interactions with other cities and provinces and activities to attract businesses have mostly been suspended due to travel restrictions between regions.

The infection and accumulated fatigue among public officials are also serious. Just the day before, one official from the Planning and Coordination Office of Buk-gu Office in Daegu tested positive, leading to the partial closure of the building and suspension of related departments' work. In Gyeongsan City, Gyeongbuk, which has the second highest number of confirmed cases after Daegu nationwide, two officials were confirmed positive and hospitalized. An official from the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office said, "If even one person tests positive, the entire department is shut down, so everyone is on edge," adding, "They tell us not to come in if we feel even slightly unwell."

Recently, a public official in their 40s at Seongju County Office collapsed in the restroom and was transferred to a hospital but has not regained consciousness. The Gyeongbuk Provincial Office reported that the official had no underlying conditions and, having worked every weekend due to COVID-19, the cause is believed to be a brain hemorrhage from overwork. Firefighters and health center staff on the front lines of this crisis are even more exhausted. Among officials, there is talk that "the workload is so heavy it feels like we are pouring our souls into it."

Many officials are also suffering from false defamation and fake news. Online, there is significant criticism for failing to prevent the spread and dissatisfaction regarding mask distribution. In response, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin recently stated at a regular briefing, "I ask that shameless acts that lower the morale of medical staff and public officials who are working tirelessly day and night be refrained from," adding, "Strong measures, including requesting investigations, will be taken against such acts."

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