Prime Minister Jeong: "COVID-19 Increase Rate Slows... Cannot Lower Our Guard"

"Urging Proactive Response to Economic Recovery"... "Check Welfare Blind Spots"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is delivering a speech at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 10th, "Although the increase in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has slowed down in recent days, we cannot let our guard down yet," and urged, "Each ministry should maintain a 24-hour emergency situation room system and strengthen COVID-19 response and support."

Prime Minister Chung made these remarks while presiding over the 12th Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office. He emphasized, "Now, above all, it is a priority to quickly identify and treat confirmed cases and prevent further transmission," and added, "The newly implemented mask 5-day rotation system must be stabilized to minimize inconvenience to the public."

He also requested, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare should work with local governments to ensure that vulnerable groups are not left in welfare blind spots due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation," and urged, "Please take special care to ensure that elderly people living alone, homeless individuals, children missing meals, and people with severe disabilities do not skip meals or miss necessary care services because of COVID-19."

Furthermore, he said, "Please actively cooperate with related ministries to ensure that protective clothing and other supplies necessary for infectious disease prevention are promptly delivered to where they are needed without delay."

Prime Minister Chung continued, "The Ministry of Strategy and Finance and related ministries are expected to respond proactively to revive the economy affected by COVID-19," and mentioned, "Please continuously monitor the situation of affected areas, industries, small business owners, and self-employed individuals, and swiftly implement existing measures."

He added, "Please closely manage the early execution of budgets by the central government and local governments to ensure smooth progress, and actively improve any difficulties encountered."

Prime Minister Chung also requested, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should actively inform overseas countries about Korea's quarantine situation to lead to the lifting or easing of entry bans," and asked, "Please continue efforts to communicate and inform major countries that Korea is actively diagnosing COVID-19, transparently disclosing information, and managing it scientifically."

In addition, he explained, "Last week, the National Assembly passed 179 bills including the Financial Consumer Protection Act, the Relief Act for Humidifier Disinfectant Victims, the Restriction on Special Cases for State-Owned Property Act, and the Support Act for Market Expansion of Small and Medium Enterprise Products," and said, "These legal amendments will protect the rights and safety of the public and strengthen support for material, parts, and equipment companies as well as small and medium enterprises."

He continued, "Each ministry should promptly proceed with follow-up measures to ensure there are no disruptions in the enforcement of the laws," and requested, "During the process of preparing subordinate statutes, please broadly collect opinions from stakeholders and experts, and sufficiently inform the public about the changed systems."

He added, "There are still many bills related to the livelihood economy and public safety pending in the National Assembly," and urged, "I ask the 20th National Assembly to promptly process these bills."

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