Lee Hae-chan "If raised to level 3, 'quasi-war situation'... Metropolitan area must respond jointly"

Kim Tae-nyeon "Metropolitan area must check situation in preparation for Level 3 social distancing"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the emergency meeting on COVID-19 measures for the metropolitan area held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivered opening remarks. The meeting was attended by Seo Jeong-hyeop, First Deputy Mayor of Seoul, Kim Hee-gyeom, First Deputy Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Choi Jang-hyeok, Deputy Mayor of Incheon. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea has taken urgent measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Seoul metropolitan area. The main point is to establish a joint quarantine system that shares living centers, hospital beds, and quarantine supplies among local governments in the metropolitan area.

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, held an "Emergency COVID-19 Countermeasure Meeting of the Democratic Party-Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi" at the National Assembly on the morning of the 25th, stating, "Joint coordination among local governments in the metropolitan area, including the bed-sharing system, is more important than ever," and added, "Especially since securing living treatment centers requires mutual cooperation, close collaboration among the three local governments is crucial."

He also said, "If the spread continues, the government will have no choice but to consider the third stage of social distancing," emphasizing, "If elevated to stage 3, it will be close to a 'quasi-war situation.' The party, government, and local governments will form a defensive line and do their utmost to prevent the spread this week."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "Recently, more than 1,000 confirmed cases have been reported in Seoul alone," adding, "As severe patients increase, hospital bed capacity is not sufficient. Cooperation and communication among local governments are more important than ever to overcome this critical turning point. Each local government must strengthen quarantine measures and cooperate as one living zone for joint response." He continued, "In Seoul, there are difficulties in securing mild treatment centers, and each local government faces different challenges," stating, "We must complement each other's shortcomings to overcome the COVID-19 crisis."

Floor leader Kim also requested local governments in the metropolitan area to check their preparedness for social distancing stage 3. He said, "Since it has never been implemented before, there is much to prepare. I hope you will check the situation in case the situation worsens and stage 3 social distancing is implemented." Seo Jeong-hyeop, acting mayor of Seoul, said, "Infectious diseases have no borders or boundaries," adding, "Since Sarang Jeil Church and the August 15 rally have become sparks for nationwide spread, we will promptly share information and respond jointly with other cities and provinces." Kim Hee-gyeom, First Deputy Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Choi Jang-hyuk, Deputy Mayor of Incheon, also attended.

Meanwhile, according to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the day, out of 280 new confirmed cases, 264 occurred in the metropolitan area excluding 16 imported cases. Outside the metropolitan area, 10 new cases were confirmed in Daejeon and 9 in Chungnam. Additionally, there were 8 in Gangwon, 5 in Daegu, 4 in Gwangju and Jeonbuk, 3 in Busan, Sejong, and Jeju, 2 in Gyeongnam, and 1 in Jeonnam.

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