청 COVID-19 'Emergency System'... Why Attention is Focused on President Moon's SuBo Message

Presiding over the Blue House Senior Secretary and Secretary Meeting, Delivering a Public Message on COVID-19... Also Urging Preparedness for Flood Damage Due to Approaching Typhoon

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Kim Dong-pyo] On the 24th, President Moon Jae-in will deliver a public message regarding the 'novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)' at the Blue House senior secretaries and aides meeting. This is closely related to the serious spread of COVID-19, especially in the Seoul metropolitan area where 25 million people live. President Moon's message is expected to include appeals not only to the Blue House's key aides but also to the public.

In particular, this week marks a crossroads for deciding whether to raise social distancing to Level 3. This is why attention is focused on President Moon's remarks at the senior secretaries meeting. In fact, the government has not ruled out raising social distancing to Level 3 if the COVID-19 spread does not subside.

Earlier, on the 21st, during a visit to Seoul City Hall, President Moon expressed concern, saying, "If Seoul's quarantine collapses, the entire country's quarantine will collapse at once." While health experts emphasize the necessity of raising to Level 3, the Blue House is likely to hesitate to make this choice until the last moment. This is due to the worsening economic indicators that had been recovering, as well as employment instability and other side effects that come with raising to Level 3.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Through the senior secretaries meeting, President Moon is expected to emphasize the gravity of the situation and appeal to do their best to prevent further spread. In this regard, the Blue House has already entered a COVID-19 emergency system. The COVID-19 emergency response meeting, chaired by Chief Presidential Secretary Noh Young-min, is held every morning, and the crisis management center will conduct 24-hour situation monitoring.

Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok explained, "Departments related to COVID-19 response are operating night and weekend emergency duty and continuous monitoring systems, and other secretariat offices are operating continuous management systems related to COVID-19 in their respective fields." The changed atmosphere at the Blue House can also be confirmed by changes in the senior secretaries meeting.

The Blue House plans to hold the senior secretaries meeting with physical distancing among attendees in line with social distancing measures. They also plan to minimize the number of attendees to reduce risk factors.

The Blue House's concerns extend beyond COVID-19, as there are numerous political challenges. Unresolved issues such as the doctors' strike and flood recovery remain piled up.

With the longest rainy season continuing and the wounds from nationwide flood damage not yet healed, the approach of Typhoon 'Bavi' has raised alarms. President Moon is expected to express gratitude to the residents of the affected areas who are working hard on flood recovery during the senior secretaries meeting and to urge related government departments to prevent additional damage caused by the approaching typhoon.

August was a period the Blue House hoped to use as an opportunity for a turnaround. President Moon attached significance to the fact that South Korea's economic growth forecast for this year is the most favorable among OECD member countries, drawing a blueprint for early economic crisis recovery. However, if the resurgence of COVID-19 centered on the metropolitan area is not contained, all government scenarios could be nullified.

Moreover, the growing concerns surrounding the doctors' strike amid the escalating COVID-19 crisis further intensify the Blue House's worries. Although recent public opinion polls show a recovery in President Moon's approval ratings, the tense atmosphere within the Blue House is also increasing for this reason.

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