President Moon's First Visit to KDCA Since COVID-19 Outbreak: "Achieving Globally Recognized Results"

"COVID-19, Wounds in the Hearts of the People... Urging Special Efforts to Prevent More Deaths"

President Moon Jae-in is encouraging the staff who are maintaining an all-out system to respond to COVID-19 at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, Chungbuk, on the 11th. On the left is Director Jung Eun-kyung.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] On the afternoon of the 11th, President Moon Jae-in visited the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) located in Cheongju, Chungbuk. This is the first time President Moon has personally visited the KDCA since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to the Blue House, President Moon visited the KDCA from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, encouraging Director Jeong Eun-kyeong and the staff. Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok stated, "The President’s visit was conducted without prior notice and with only essential personnel to avoid disrupting the work of those involved, skipping reports and briefings."

At the KDCA emergency situation room, President Moon met with Director Jeong and said, "The KDCA has been working so hard and it’s been heartbreaking. I wanted to thank you earlier, but I thought you were too busy and didn’t want to be a burden." He added, "I will not receive any briefings or reports today, nor will I give any instructions. If there are any difficulties, I am willing to listen." The two have a connection from 2015 during the MERS outbreak, when they met as the opposition party leader and the head of the KDCA Disease Prevention Center, respectively.

President Moon said, "I recently sent a gift (red ginseng products) as a token of appreciation and encouragement, but the KDCA said that the quarantine officers at the airport are working harder and asked that the gifts be delivered to them." He praised their humility, saying, "It is admirable that they think it is inappropriate to receive praise alone when everyone is working hard together, and that attitude has increased public trust." He added, "Still, the KDCA deserves praise and encouragement," and "Praising and encouraging the KDCA is also praising and encouraging the people themselves."

President Moon encouraged, "The KDCA has worked diligently and achieved excellent results recognized worldwide," and said, "The international community acknowledges that Korea was the fastest to identify symptomatic cases, conduct tests, confirm infections, and provide appropriate treatment to reduce the mortality rate."

However, he expressed concern, saying, "While struggling with COVID-19, the public has suffered emotional wounds and their pride has been hurt," and "Anxiety, fear, and helplessness have increased due to the spread of the infection." He also urged, "Please make special efforts to prevent further deaths."

After listening to the difficulties faced by KDCA staff, President Moon had dinner with them. The meal was a special menu prepared by the Blue House, including Korean dishes such as galbijjim (braised short ribs).

Director Jeong said, "We will work harder and strive to reduce public harm and help people return to their daily lives," according to spokesperson Kang.

President Moon Jae-in is encouraging the staff who are maintaining an all-out effort to respond to COVID-19 at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, Chungbuk, on the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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