During the 'Cheong Quarantine Emergency Measures'... Choi Jae-sung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, attended a soccer gathering in his former district

Choi Jae-sung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Choi Jae-sung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, is embroiled in controversy for attending a soccer gathering in his former constituency, violating the Blue House's compliance guidelines that called for the cancellation or postponement of 'gatherings and events' to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the Blue House on the 30th, Choi was reported to have appeared at an early morning soccer club held at a school in Samjeon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul the previous day and played in the soccer match. Songpa-eul is Choi's former constituency, where he ran but lost in the 21st general election.

Choi is said to have followed quarantine rules such as wearing a mask during the soccer game. However, criticism has arisen that his behavior was inappropriate given the worsening COVID-19 situation in the metropolitan area, which had been elevated to social distancing level 2. In particular, as the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs and a senior secretary at the Blue House who is a key attendee at regular meetings presided over by President Moon Jae-in, he should have refrained from attending external gatherings.

On the 23rd, the Blue House issued 'compliance guidelines for all staff' to cancel or postpone gatherings, events, dinners, and meetings. This emergency measure was taken because small gatherings, events, and dinners were the main causes of the increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases. Furthermore, it was stated that personnel who violate these rules and cause COVID-19 infections or transmissions would be disciplined.

When first-term lawmakers from the People Power Party came to the Blue House on the 27th demanding President Moon's stance on the conflict between Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, Choi did not appear on site, citing COVID-19 quarantine rules.

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