Lee In-young "Prevention Comes Before Flower Viewing... Social Distancing Must Be Prioritized"

Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at the COVID-19 response meeting of the party, government, and Blue House held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea and the government have urged the public to maintain social distancing instead of spring outings to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). They also decided to strengthen management measures for overseas entrants to prevent re-importation.

Lee In-young, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized at the 4th party-government-civil meeting on COVID-19 response held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 25th, saying, "The war against COVID-19 has entered a long-term phase," and "Living quarantine must become an essential guideline for the people, not a choice."

Lee said, "While the government is putting all its efforts into quarantine and treatment, citizens have actively participated in social distancing despite many inconveniences," adding, "We must never let our guard down until the end."

He continued, "I would like to once again appeal to the people," saying, "Many people went to the mountains and fields for flower viewing last weekend," and emphasized, "We understand the hearts of the people exhausted by COVID-19 over the past two months, but quarantine and safety come before flowers."

He added, "The next two weeks will determine the outcome of the fight against COVID-19," and said, "For now, social distancing must take priority over social activities. I hope the mature community spirit of the people will shine until the very end."

Lee also stressed the need to establish measures to block overseas re-importation. He said, "If we fail to block confirmed cases imported from overseas now, the dike that has been painstakingly built so far could collapse in an instant," and "I hope a management system for overseas entrants can be established through today's party-government consultation."

Lee Nak-yeon, chairman of the COVID-19 National Crisis Management Committee, said, "There are cases where entrants do not follow quarantine guidelines," and urged, "The government should strictly manage overseas entrants and confirmed cases."

He also said, "Although the increase in domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases has slowed, we cannot be complacent," and urged, "For the April 6 school reopening to take place, I hope all citizens will practice everything the government announces today, including social distancing."

Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "We are focusing on blocking re-importation from overseas," and added, "We will establish a sustainable living quarantine system so that the people can return to their daily lives."

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