President Moon, who chaired the emergency COVID-19 meeting, says "Speed is crucial"... Orders emergency response

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over an emergency Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 13th. 2020.12.13
President Moon Jae-in is presiding over an emergency Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 13th. 2020.12.13
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] On the 13th, President Moon Jae-in urgently presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and emphasized "speed is the most important," urging an emergency and swift response, the Blue House announced.

Kang Min-seok, Blue House spokesperson, stated in a written briefing related to the CDSCH meeting that President Moon, in his closing remarks, said, "Whether it is matters that the central government and local governments need to consult on, matters to be reviewed, or matters for which policies have already been decided, all must be implemented promptly, with speed, and quickly." He also urged, "Although the CDSCH and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (Bangdaebon) have provided detailed briefings, each ministry should make efforts so that the public can properly understand and respond to existing measures and future actions."

Earlier, in his opening remarks, President Moon said, "If we fail to curb the current spread, we must consider raising social distancing to level 3, which is a critical phase," adding, "This is a moment of utmost urgency where all quarantine capabilities and administrative power must be concentrated to fully prevent the spread of COVID-19."

After the president’s opening remarks, Jeong Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, reported on the current COVID-19 status; Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, presented the emergency medical response plan for the metropolitan area; and Seo Jung-hyup, Acting Mayor of Seoul, along with Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, each reported on the metropolitan emergency medical response plan.

This was the second time President Moon presided over a CDSCH meeting since February. It was held to review government and local government measures amid an emergency situation where daily new confirmed cases surpassed 1,000, marking an all-time high. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, ministers from 10 other ministries, and the Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. Provincial governors attended via video conference. The meeting lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes starting from 3 p.m.

Before President Moon’s closing remarks, Prime Minister Chung emphasized "communication," stating, "It is necessary to resolve issues such as determining social distancing levels and resource support through sufficient communication within the central government, between the central and local governments, between local governments and the CDSCH-Bangdaebon, as well as with the field, private hospitals, and the general public."

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