President Moon: "COVID-19 calming... We will surely succeed in both quarantine and economy" (Comprehensive)

Downgrade to Social Distancing Level 2
"The War Against COVID-19 Is a Long-Term Battle"
Safety Appeal for Chuseok Delivery Workers

President Moon Jae-in is wearing a mask after finishing his remarks at the senior secretaries and aides meeting held at the Blue House on the 14th.

President Moon Jae-in said on the 14th, "The recent resurgence of COVID-19 over the past month is gradually calming down," and added, "The government will definitely succeed in both quarantine and the economy."

Presiding over the senior secretaries' meeting at the Blue House that afternoon, President Moon stated in his opening remarks, "The government has partially adjusted quarantine measures in the metropolitan area starting today," and said, "This is a realistic measure derived by the government after synthesizing opinions from experts and the field to protect the lives of the people in both quarantine and the economy, on the premise of strictly maintaining social distancing at level 2."

President Moon emphasized that this easing of social distancing is an unavoidable choice to minimize economic damage. He said, "The war against COVID-19 is a long-term battle," and added, "From the government's standpoint, in a situation where we have to live with COVID-19 for a long time, we cannot neglect either quarantine or the economy."

President Moon explained, "The reason for adjusting the quarantine measures is primarily based on the judgment that the strengthened quarantine measures so far have been effective." The daily number of domestic confirmed cases, which once exceeded 400 nationwide, has steadily decreased to around 100. The daily confirmed cases in the metropolitan area, the center of the resurgence, have also significantly dropped.

President Moon added, "Along with the judgment that COVID-19 is within the control range of our quarantine system, the situation where those facing threats to their livelihoods due to long-term business suspensions and restrictions cannot be forced to sacrifice blindly became another reason for adjusting the quarantine measures."

He said, "We especially focused on easing restrictions on livelihood facilities and businesses of the lower-income class," and added, "These are the minimum measures to maintain the tension in quarantine while allowing small business owners and self-employed people facing critical situations to keep their livelihoods without giving up their businesses."

President Moon emphasized, "We must find a path where quarantine and the economy go hand in hand to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people," and said, "Until COVID-19 is completely eradicated, we have no choice but to maintain a delicate balance between quarantine and the economy." He then requested the cooperation of the people, saying, "If the people cooperate, we can return to a full normal daily life and a normal economy more quickly."

Additionally, President Moon urged attention to the health and safety of delivery workers during the Chuseok holiday. He said, "Everyone is struggling and having a hard time due to COVID-19, but at times like this, we need a heart that cares for neighbors who are having an even harder time," and added, "Especially, the workload of delivery workers, whose demand has sharply increased due to non-face-to-face economic activities and will surge further with Chuseok approaching, is an issue that all of us must pay special attention to regarding overwork and safety."

President Moon said, "In particular, as the government encourages gifts of our agricultural, livestock, and fishery products for Chuseok, the volume of deliveries during the holiday season may increase further," and requested, "Relevant ministries should strengthen labor supervision to prevent delivery workers from suffering from excessive labor, increase temporary manpower through on-site inspections, and strive to create a safer working environment."

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