[Comprehensive] Lee Nak-yeon, Indirect Contact with Confirmed Case... Political Circle on High Alert for COVID-19 Infection

Lee Nak-yeon Used Microphone Previously Used by Confirmed Case... Self-Quarantine After COVID Test
Earlier Attended 11th Anniversary of Former President Kim Dae-jung's Death... Political Circle COVID Spread Concerns
Democratic's Kim Yong-min and United's Choi Hyung-doo Also Had Indirect Contact with Confirmed Cases
CBS 'Shutdown' All Employees Working from Home

Lee Nak-yeon, a candidate running for the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader election, appeared on the CBS radio program "Sisa Jaki Jeong Gwan-yong imnida" held at the CBS building in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 18th, engaging in discussions with other candidates. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] It was confirmed on the 18th that Lee Nak-yeon, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, had indirect contact with a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Lee is currently undergoing a COVID-19 test and has entered self-quarantine. He decided to stay at home and suspend all schedules until the test results are out. Concerns are growing that if Lee tests positive, additional confirmed cases may emerge, especially among political figures who had direct or indirect face-to-face contact with him.

Lee's camp announced on the same day, "The person who appeared before Lee on the CBS radio program 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the morning of the 17th was confirmed positive for COVID-19 this evening. Although Lee did not have physical contact such as handshakes with the confirmed case, he used the chair and microphone that the confirmed case had used."

Lee received this information via CBS around 8:15 p.m. on the same day and immediately visited a medical institution to undergo a COVID-19 test.

As the fact that Lee had indirect contact with a confirmed case became known, the political world went on high alert. If Lee tests positive, the impact of the COVID-19 infection could rapidly spread within the political sphere.

Between the time Lee had indirect contact with the confirmed case and when he entered self-quarantine two days later, he actively engaged in external activities. Shortly after the indirect contact, he appeared at the 45th anniversary memorial ceremony for the late Jang Jun-ha held at Jang Jun-ha Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

According to media reports, Lee wore a mask at the event but briefly removed it while speaking on the podium.

Additionally, Lee attended the 11th anniversary memorial service for the late former President Kim Dae-jung, where he came into contact with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, as well as leaders from both ruling and opposition parties.

The 11th anniversary memorial service for the late former President Kim Dae-jung was held on the morning of the 18th at the late President Kim's gravesite in the National Seoul National Cemetery. Former Prime Minister Kim Suk-soo, Acting Prime Minister Jang Sang, and former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon are offering flowers and incense.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Key political figures gathered at this event included Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan, and Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party Kim Jong-in.

The Democratic Party leadership also went on high alert. Lee appeared on a broadcast debate hosted by CBS radio's 'Sisa Jaki Jung Kwan-yong imnida' in the afternoon along with candidates Kim Boo-kyum and Park Ju-min. The three candidates were together in a confined studio for about an hour and a half.

Meanwhile, after a confirmed COVID-19 case was reported at the broadcasting station, CBS announced the suspension of regular broadcasts.

This is the first time a major central media outlet has declared a 'shutdown' due to COVID-19.

People who were in the same space as the confirmed positive reporter, including Producer Kim, are self-quarantining and are scheduled to be tested tomorrow.

In a phone call with Yonhap News Agency, CBS stated, "For now, radio will be replaced with music broadcasts. All programs, including 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' will be suspended." They added, "For TV broadcasts, since many programs are pre-recorded, some replacement is possible. All staff have been instructed not to come to work and to work from home. This is a so-called shutdown measure."

They emphasized, "Because we have always been prepared for the COVID-19 situation, we are following the manual to urgently contact related personnel and are putting all efforts into disinfection. We will provide further notices as soon as the staff test results come out."

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