Park Neung-hoo: "Zero COVID-19 Cases Among Itaewon Club Staff, Thanks to Masks"

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo's Meeting with the Access Base Unit
On Vacation Season Quarantine Rules Question: "Masks Confirmed to Have Dramatic Effect"
"Expansion of Non-Face-to-Face Medical Care to be Promoted Mainly through Private Practitioners and Local Clinics"

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo is speaking at a briefing on the results of the 3rd meeting of the Pan-Government Support Group for COVID-19 treatment and vaccine development, held on the 3rd at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 15th, Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "Regarding the Itaewon club cluster infection, it was assumed that most employees were infected, but in reality, only one person was infected," adding, "That patient was infected by a cohabitant who tested positive, so effectively no one was infected." He further stated, "This was because they were working while wearing masks, and we have come to understand that if masks are worn properly, the spread of infection can be effectively prevented."

At a meeting held near the Government Sejong Complex that day, Minister Park responded to a question about what quarantine rules are necessary in crowded places such as summer vacation spots during the upcoming holiday season. Regarding mask-wearing, until January when the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak began, there were various discussions about whether masks were effective and which types were appropriate, but after months of quarantine measures, it has become a consensus that masks are essential.

Since droplet transmission is a characteristic, protecting oneself from the source of infection as well as preventing transmission to others if one is potentially infected is crucial. Minister Park said, "(Although) wearing masks becomes difficult as the weather gets hotter, if worn properly, it is considered the most accurate quarantine method to prevent the spread of infection."

On the 8th of last month, a citizen is passing in front of the 'King Club' in Itaewon, Seoul, which was visited by a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Regarding the expansion of non-face-to-face medical care, he stated that it will be promoted mainly through primary medical institutions, private practitioners, and local clinics. As the COVID-19 situation spread, telephone consultations were temporarily allowed to prevent in-hospital infections, and many medical institutions and patients participated. Considering technological advancements, this is seen as an inevitable trend. Minister Park said, "Opponents of non-face-to-face medical care worry, for example, that patients will flock to tertiary hospitals in Seoul or that the medical service will become industrialized, benefiting specific medical equipment companies," adding, "Through remote medical care, mainly private practitioners and local clinics will participate and benefit."

He added, "(Non-face-to-face medical care) ultimately aims to increase public access to medical services and provide convenience," but also said, "Even if the first consultation is face-to-face, it is inevitable to expand non-face-to-face care to allow quick prescriptions or simple consultations via video for secondary or tertiary care or simple prescriptions without necessarily visiting medical institutions." He noted that since some provider groups such as the Korean Medical Association have expressed negative views, they will consult with medical staff to reduce misunderstandings going forward.

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo is attending the '215th Ministerial Meeting on External Economic Affairs' held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Controversy over Transfer of Research Institute during KCDC Elevation Process
"Research on Chronic Diseases and Health Industry Beyond Infectious Diseases is More Closely Related to the Ministry of Health and Welfare"
Preparing Measures on Child Abuse and Pension Reform Issues

Regarding the issue of transferring the research institute during the elevation of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) to an independent agency, Minister Park defended that the initially announced plan for the 'National Institute of Health under the Ministry of Health and Welfare,' which was decided after inter-ministerial consultations, was practically necessary. However, two days after the announcement, President Moon Jae-in ordered a "re-examination from the beginning," and the ruling party-government meeting concluded that the National Institute of Health would remain under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Minister Park said, "(The National Institute of Health) is an organization that researches not only infectious diseases but also chronic diseases and the health industry. Even though KCDC mainly handles infectious diseases, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is more involved in chronic diseases and the health industry," adding, "Although long-term research is needed at KCDC, there was a need for prompt research, so a separate (research institute) was requested, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced the 'transfer of the research institute to the Ministry of Health and Welfare' as promised."

At the time of the announcement, there were critical remarks about departmental selfishness regarding the transfer of the research institute under KCDC back to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, but Minister Park emphasized, "This has nothing to do with sending more personnel to the Ministry of Health and Welfare or expanding its scope." The 'separate research institution unique to KCDC' mentioned by KCDC Director Jung Eun-kyung was already agreed upon, but unnecessary controversy arose after the announcement, leading to a revision of the plan. Minister Park said, "Whether the research institute is directly under the agency or under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, we are creating institutional measures to enable rational decision-making."

Regarding the recent series of child abuse cases, he said, "The average tenure of workers at child protection agencies is less than three years, and their salaries are about 85% of the standard salary for social welfare workers," adding, "We are preparing to create conditions for them to work long-term." On the discussion of pension reform, he stated, "We expect the National Assembly to form a separate organization or for the Health and Welfare Committee to actively discuss the four improvement plans prepared by the government and reach a consensus," expressing willingness to cooperate in future discussions.

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