Prime Minister Jeong: "Proceeding with Special Disaster Area Procedures for Daegu and Gyeongbuk... Will Soon Recommend to the President"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced that he is in the process of declaring Daegu and Gyeongbuk as special disaster zones in relation to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). He plans to formally propose this to the President as soon as the related procedures are completed.

On the 13th, Prime Minister Chung held a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) at Daegu City Hall and said, "I have consulted with the President about declaring Daegu and Gyeongbuk as special disaster zones under the Disaster and Safety Management Basic Act."

Earlier, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin and Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo visited the National Assembly the previous day and met consecutively with National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, Democratic Party Floor Leader Lee In-young, and United Future Party Floor Leader Shim Jae-chul to request the declaration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk as special disaster zones.

Prime Minister Chung stated, "Three weeks have passed since the first patient was confirmed in Daegu, and the number of new confirmed cases in Daegu and Gyeongbuk has significantly decreased. Living treatment centers and hospital beds have been rapidly expanded and are stabilizing," adding, "The number of people waiting has drastically decreased, and the number of recovered patients is increasing."

He continued, "As the most critical moment has passed, the wounds of the citizens of Daegu and Gyeongbuk are becoming apparent," emphasizing the need for the special disaster zone declaration by pointing out, "The citizens of Daegu and Gyeongbuk have lost their daily lives and suffered great damage to their livelihoods."

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