Nam In-soon "Proposal for Level 3 Social Distancing in the Seoul Metropolitan Area" Quarantine Authorities "Need to Monitor Progress"

New COVID-19 Cases Remain Between 200-300 for Four Days Since the 23rd
Nam In-soon: "Undetected Patients in Seoul Seven Times Higher Than Last Week"
Health Authorities: "Need to Monitor This Week's Progress"
Prime Minister Chung: "Top Priority Is to Fully Implement Level 2 Measures"

Nam In-soon, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] As health authorities diagnose that "it seems inevitable that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases will remain at this level for the time being" amid the resurgence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the ruling party has proposed raising social distancing to Level 3 only in the Seoul metropolitan area.

On the 26th, Kim Kang-lip, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, responded at the Health and Welfare Committee held at the National Assembly in Seoul to Democratic Party lawmaker Nam In-soon's question, "How do you expect the trend of new COVID-19 patients?" by saying, "We believe it is inevitable to maintain this level for the time being."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases as of midnight that day was 320. The number of new patients has remained in the 200-300 range for four consecutive days since the 23rd (397 cases).

Regarding this, "Lawmaker Nam said that now is a critical moment when the second wave of COVID-19 could spread nationwide," and "even if economic inconvenience is endured, I propose strongly raising social distancing to Level 3 only in the Seoul metropolitan area for about 5 to 7 days."

He added, "There are concerns about the possibility of nationwide spread due to the COVID-19 surge in the metropolitan area. The sense of crisis before the storm is intensifying," pointing out that "the number of 'dark patients' whose infection routes are unknown has increased sevenfold in Seoul compared to a week ago."

He also emphasized, "Health authorities are doing their best, and the public is cooperating with strengthened social distancing, but there are limits to prevention alone," adding, "Both prevention and the economy are important, but the life, health, and safety of the people are the most important."

Yoon Tae-ho, Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' Quarantine General Division, is answering reporters' questions after concluding the regular COVID-19 response briefing at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 25th. / Photo by Yonhap News

However, health authorities maintain a cautious stance regarding the decision to raise the level to 3.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex that "the government's official position is to discuss whether to raise to Level 3 while observing the trend of confirmed cases this week," adding, "Although today's new confirmed cases exceeded 300, the increase is not rapid, so it is necessary to monitor the progress."

However, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated that they are working on detailed guidelines in preparation for raising to Level 3. Yoon emphasized, "Level 3 includes extensive measures. We are discussing the contents of these measures, related guidelines, and detailed procedures with each ministry and local governments," adding, "We will prepare to avoid confusion in case of escalation."

Meanwhile, the government announced that it will first focus all efforts on properly implementing social distancing Level 2.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting that "our quarantine system is reaching its limit day by day to the extent that it can be called 'a flickering candle.' If the situation does not improve, we may have to consider raising social distancing to Level 3," but he also emphasized, "Raising to Level 3 is not an easy decision as it stops all economic and social activities. For now, the urgent task is to make sure that Level 2 is properly implemented."

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