[Summary] "Need for Economic Revitalization Policy" vs "Using Quarantine for Political Purposes" Debate Over Easing Social Distancing Between Ruling and Opposition Parties

Ruling Party: "Demanding Aggressive Economic Policies Based on Everyday Quarantine"
Opposition: "Inconsistent Controls Lose Trust... May Appear Authoritarian"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] The ruling and opposition parties have shown contrasting reactions to the government's decision to adjust the social distancing level to Level 1 in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The Democratic Party of Korea expressed a positive response, emphasizing economic revitalization, while the People Power Party criticized the government for politically exploiting quarantine measures.

The Democratic Party leadership urged the strengthening of aggressive policies for economic revitalization in relation to the easing of social distancing to Level 1. Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held on the morning of the 12th, "We will recover the people's livelihood economy and prepare for the post-COVID era."

Lee added, "Taking the easing of social distancing as an opportunity, we will strengthen discussions and preparations for new quarantine measures as well as the economy and the future," and "As a representative measure, we will integrate the party's National Crisis Overcoming Committee and the Future Transition K-New Deal Committee."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, also said at the Supreme Council meeting, "Based on living quarantine, the government's economic policy stance should go beyond disaster relief payments and other defensive policies," and "I urge the strengthening of aggressive and growth-oriented policies that can promote economic recovery."

Kim emphasized, "In particular, efforts should focus on attracting and activating investments to create a virtuous economic cycle structure that leads to employment and consumption for economic rebound."

Song Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party, is delivering a speech opposing the Public Officials Corruption Investigation Act at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the afternoon of August 4th. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the other hand, some members of the People Power Party criticized the government's inconsistent quarantine measures for losing public trust.

Kim Byung-min, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, said at the emergency committee meeting on the morning of the same day, "The government must provide a clear answer to the public's suspicion that rather than trying to manage both the economy and quarantine simultaneously, it has been politically exploiting quarantine as a pretext during this COVID-19 crisis."

He continued, "If the government can adjust the easing of social distancing based on discretionary authority, it could mean that the government might misuse public power control measures under the pretext of quarantine at any time," and added, "From now on, I ask the government authorities to shed the stigma of political quarantine, restore public trust, and unite in ending COVID-19 based on the cooperation of all citizens."

Song Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party, wrote on his Facebook on the same day, "Inconsistent COVID-19 control due to vague restrictions or objectives loses trust," and pointed out, "Voluntary cooperation from the public may be rejected, and politically, it could be seen as COVID-19 dictatorship, causing greater public resistance."

Song criticized, "Even now, close-contact living and activities among crowds are widespread in public transportation facilities and outdoor recreational facilities," and "Planned gatherings at Gwanghwamun Square using non-face-to-face vehicles were blocked in advance. Gwanghwamun Square was completely shut down without confirming how the gatherings would comply with quarantine rules."

He added, "The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has now been elevated to vice-ministerial level, with increased personnel, organization, and budget. Accordingly, a more systematic and advanced quarantine model must be presented. The previous method of repeatedly tightening and loosening restrictions should not continue," and emphasized, "Now is the time to stop wavering and present a proper Korean-style quarantine model."

Earlier, on the afternoon of the 11th, the government held a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) at the Government Seoul Office, chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and decided to lower the nationwide social distancing level to Level 1.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Chung said, "The number of domestic confirmed cases over the past two weeks has decreased to an average of fewer than 60 per day, and the infection reproduction number has fallen below 1, indicating that the spread is being suppressed," and "Considering the fatigue felt by many citizens due to prolonged social distancing and the negative impact on the people's livelihood economy, we have adjusted the social distancing level to Level 1 while maintaining strengthened quarantine management for risk factors such as door-to-door sales."

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