Prime Minister Jeong: "Use 'Disaster Fund' for Small Business Owners and Vulnerable Groups... Up to 3.8 Trillion Won Utilized by 17 Cities and Provinces" (Comprehensive)

"No precedent considered, all means mobilized for response"
"Up to 3.8 trillion won from 17 city and provincial funds to be utilized"
"Funded by taxpayers, to be deployed and used appropriately"
"Extraordinary measures with public participation needed for scheduled school reopening"
Emergency Cabinet Members Workshop held... Discussions on 'social distancing' and more

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on the 21st regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, "The government will allow disaster-related funds, which are limited in use, to be used for small business owners and vulnerable groups specifically for COVID-19."

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung held a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) at the Government Seoul Office and said, "This is an unprecedented crisis situation, so we must respond by mobilizing all imaginable means without considering precedents."

He emphasized, "The approval from President Moon Jae-in was already completed yesterday," and added, "We expect to be able to utilize up to 3.8 trillion won from the funds held by the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces."

He further urged, "Since these funds are raised from the precious taxpayers' money of the metropolitan cities and provinces, governors should prioritize and use them appropriately to contribute to overcoming the crisis."

Regarding the implementation of diagnostic tests for all arrivals from Europe starting at midnight on the 22nd, Prime Minister Chung explained, "This is an unavoidable measure to block re-importation amid the rapidly increasing spread overseas."

He continued, "I understand there are many difficulties due to the short preparation period, but please ensure thorough arrangements for the personnel and resources needed for testing, especially securing facilities for arrivals to stay during the testing period," and requested, "I ask for active cooperation from related ministries and nearby local governments."

Prime Minister Chung also mentioned the postponement of school openings three times until the 6th of next month, stating, "It is difficult to ask for further sacrifices from students, but it is a desperate situation where we cannot send children to school without ensuring safety."

He added, "To proceed with the school opening as scheduled, extraordinary measures involving the participation of the entire nation are necessary," and expressed, "Greater sacrifices than the pain endured so far may be required."

He then said, "After today's CDSCH meeting, we will hold a separate meeting with all cabinet members to discuss this, and afterward, we will create an opportunity to explain in detail to the public and seek their cooperation."

Following the CDSCH meeting, Prime Minister Chung plans to hold an emergency cabinet members' workshop to continue discussions on the 'social distancing' public action guidelines to block community transmission of COVID-19.

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