President Moon: "Sequential School Reopening Will Be a Touchstone for the Success of 'Everyday Quarantine'"

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on the morning of the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in on the 26th commented on the additional early school reopening postponed due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, saying, "It will be a touchstone to gauge the success of daily quarantine," and urged, "Along with strictly following safety rules at school, there must be no negligence in quarantine outside of school."

President Moon presided over a video Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on the day and said in his opening remarks, "If confirmed cases or suspected symptoms occur at school, the emergency response system will be promptly activated according to the manual." He added, "We will also make every effort to minimize the care gap that may arise from the concurrent operation of in-person and remote classes."

President Moon emphasized, "Teachers, parents, students, and the entire local community are all agents of quarantine," and repeatedly urged adherence to quarantine rules, saying, "When everyone joins forces to protect the safety of children, K-quarantine can become another global standard."

The government conducted the first school reopening for 12th graders on the 20th and will expand the additional reopening from the 27th to include 1st and 2nd graders in elementary school, 3rd graders in middle school, 2nd graders in high school, and kindergarteners. As students begin attending school, concerns about infection risks at multi-use facilities such as karaoke rooms and PC rooms remain. Regarding this, President Moon said, "We will apply stricter quarantine rules to high-risk facilities where recent cluster infections have mainly occurred," and added, "We will strengthen joint inspections by relevant ministries and local governments to prevent the recurrence of cluster infections."

Furthermore, regarding the 'Emergency Disaster Relief Fund' being provided to all citizens for the first time in history to revitalize the domestic economy weakened by the COVID-19 crisis, President Moon said, "I am very pleased that it has become a great comfort and encouragement to the people," and evaluated, "The effect of 'stimulating consumption,' one of the purposes of the disaster relief fund, is materializing." He also noted, "In particular, sales of Korean beef (Hanwoo) and pork belly (Samgyeopsal) have surged," and expressed, "I am deeply moved by the hearts of the people who tightened their belts due to the economic downturn. I feel rewarded."

President Moon expressed special thanks to the citizens who participated in donations, saying, "The precious donations will be returned to the Employment Insurance Fund and used where it is most needed for those desperately seeking jobs." He added, "Whether consumption or donation, I hope that the meaning will unite as a strength to overcome difficult times."

Meanwhile, at the Cabinet meeting that day, the revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Restriction of Special Taxation Act, which applies a 1% tax credit on income tax and corporate tax when prepayment is made at small business establishments, was approved.

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