COVID-19 Cases Reach 1,000s... National Assembly Staff Say, "The Member Asked Me to Come Out..."

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues to remain in the thousands, COVID-19 cases are also rapidly emerging within the National Assembly. In addition, there are concerns that the approximately 2,600 National Assembly aides are effectively in a blind spot when it comes to quarantine measures.

The National Assembly cannot feel safe amid the spread of COVID-19. On the 21st, a National Assembly official tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the National Assembly COVID-19 Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters to conduct an investigation. On the 19th, Yoon Heeseok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, was confirmed positive, and on the 17th, a People Power Party staff member was confirmed positive. On the 12th, Kim Byung-gi, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, came into contact with a confirmed case, leading to the suspension of the filibuster (unlimited debate).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, National Assembly aides are still going to work amid concerns. The National Assembly Secretariat, due to the elevation of social distancing in the metropolitan area to level 2.5, requested each lawmaker’s office to have “at least one-third of the staff work from home” and suspended the operation of meeting rooms. However, even this is practically not being followed as a mere recommendation. If lawmakers push ahead with their schedules or require face-to-face work, aides have no choice but to come to the office.

The National Assembly Secretariat is paying attention to quarantine measures, such as prohibiting entry to anyone not pre-approved. However, seminars, commemorative events, and other gatherings are still taking place, and constituents from electoral districts continue to visit. Therefore, perfect defense is practically impossible. Among National Assembly aides, there is even a joke that “it is fortunate that confirmed cases have not poured out so far,” and “even the virus avoids the National Assembly.”

Aide from a Democratic Party lawmaker’s office said, “Even on days assigned for working from home, there are many times when we have to come to the office if work instructions are given,” adding, “Until last week, five or six aides in our office had to come in no matter what. We were told not to go out for meals, so we ordered food delivery to the office and ate with our masks off. What meaning does that have?”

On anonymous aide community boards, posts criticizing the failure to observe COVID-19 quarantine measures continue to appear. One aide criticized, “Who on earth is holding a debate session in this situation? Since we can’t use the National Assembly meeting rooms, are they trying to hold it outside?” Another aide posted, “Even if confirmed cases increase in the metropolitan area and the National Assembly Secretariat speaks strongly, it becomes a meaningless effort because of the nature of aide work.”

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