Gyeongju and Andong Declare 'Eulho Emergency'... Police Also Mobilize Full Effort Against COVID-19

Police are controlling the road to transport a patient. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] To respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the police have also declared 'Eulho Emergency' in Gyeongju and Andong cities in Gyeongbuk Province. The police in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, where numerous confirmed cases have occurred, are making every effort to respond by conducting their own campaigns to prevent COVID-19 and fact-checking fake news.

According to the police on the 11th, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency declared 'Eulho Emergency' at the Gyeongju Police Station and Andong Police Station as of the previous day. The 'Eulho Emergency' corresponds to the level just below 'Gapho Emergency,' which mobilizes all police officers according to the police emergency work regulations. Police officers belonging to police stations where 'Eulho Emergency' is declared are prohibited from using annual leave and up to 50% of available personnel can be mobilized. Accordingly, the number of police stations under 'Eulho Emergency' has increased to seven, including Daegu Provincial Police Agency, and Cheongdo, Gyeongsan, Chilgok, and Bonghwa Police Stations in Gyeongbuk.

In addition, local police agencies nationwide have maintained an emergency contact system for police officers and issued a 'Heightened Alert' for operational units to remain on standby. The police plan to review changes in emergency duty levels considering the seriousness and prolongation of the situation and the efficient use of personnel.

In particular, police stations in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas, where confirmed cases approach 7,000, are putting their lives on the line in responding to COVID-19. The Daegu Provincial Police Agency, as fake news related to COVID-19 rapidly spread within the region, created a separate 'Fact Check' banner on its homepage, while the Gyeongbuk agency started the 'Hasomaso' campaign, which encourages doing five things such as washing hands and avoiding five things such as handshakes.

Meanwhile, since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Korea on January 20, more than 10,000 related reports have been received via 112 emergency calls. Most were resolved by police on-site measures, counseling, guidance, or hospital referrals, but there were about 110 cases of mistaken or false reports. The police emphasized, "If the offense is serious, we will respond swiftly and strictly to false reports, including arresting the offenders."

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