Jeju City Hall Executive Confirmed with COVID-19... None Other Than the 'Public Health Officer'

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[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Park Chang-won] A confirmed COVID-19 case diagnosed on the 26th in Jeju Island has been identified as Director A, an executive responsible for public hygiene at Jeju City Hall.

The issue is that Director A went to work at the Jeju City Hall building, where hundreds of employees work, during the self-quarantine period of his spouse who was confirmed positive earlier, coming into contact with many people. It is reported that he attended various meetings and carried out his duties as usual, causing shock.

Director A’s spouse was a contact related to Halla Sauna and entered self-quarantine on the 21st, receiving a final positive diagnosis on the 25th. Director A was notified of his positive result the following day, the 26th.

As confirmed cases continue to occur in the province, especially with the cluster infection originating from Halla Sauna spreading continuously, the complacent attitude of the Jeju City executive responsible for hygiene is under scrutiny.

Fortunately, all 24 Jeju City employees classified as contacts of Director A tested negative, but within the organization, there are criticisms such as “He should have taken voluntary leave,” and “How can the person responsible for overall city hygiene be so irresponsible?”

Jeju City also appears to acknowledge Director A’s inappropriate conduct.

A Jeju City official stated, “We acknowledge that Director A did not comply with quarantine guidelines. The audit department plans to begin an investigation once he is discharged from the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment,” adding, “Regardless of the outcome, the city will strive to ensure that such incidents do not recur.”

On the 28th, Jeju Province urgently distributed to local public institutions a strengthened set of measures that go beyond the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s infection prevention guidelines for public officials.

According to these measures, public officials will no longer be allowed to voluntarily apply for official leave based on their own judgment when they have contact with a confirmed cohabitant or close contact. Regardless of epidemiological investigations by health authorities, they must forcibly suspend work and remain at home.

Director A responded in a phone call with this outlet, “I have nothing to say regarding the violation of quarantine guidelines,” and did not reply to text messages sent to seek further explanation.

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