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Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun visited the Seoul Eastern Detention Center in Songpa-gu, where a cluster of COVID-19 cases occurred, on the 2nd and moved to the central control room together with Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and others. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun visited the Seoul Eastern Detention Center, where a mass infection occurred, on the 2nd and urged for early containment, stating, "If the situation is not quickly stabilized, it could lead to a serious loss of trust in the government."

After receiving a report on the response situation, Prime Minister Chung said, "A large-scale mass infection has been confirmed in a correctional facility managed by the state, causing great concern among the public," and added, "I deeply regret the initial response was insufficient."

On the day, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, Vice Minister Lee Yong-gu, Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Kang Do-tae, and Crisis Response Analyst Lee Sang-won from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency accompanied him. Members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Baek Hye-ryun and Song Ki-heon from the Democratic Party of Korea, were also present.

Prime Minister Chung instructed, "The quarantine authorities and the Ministry of Justice should work closely with one heart and one mind to promptly conduct epidemiological investigations and, based on this, prepare effective measures to prevent recurrence."

He continued, "While the immediate priority is to block the rapid spread at the Eastern Detention Center, please establish comprehensive quarantine measures with the understanding that mass infections can occur at other correctional facilities scattered nationwide at any time."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is seen leaving after touring the central control room with Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and others on the 2nd at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center in Songpa-gu, where a cluster of COVID-19 cases occurred. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Regarding the plan to transfer inmates who tested negative to other correctional facilities, he emphasized, "Thorough management is necessary, such as conducting regular comprehensive testing until their incubation period ends."

He also said, "Restrictions on lawyer visits and family meetings are inevitable for infectious disease prevention, but from the inmates' perspective, they may be perceived as excessive human rights violations," and urged, "Please consider ways to minimize restrictions on basic rights while ensuring thorough quarantine."

Following Prime Minister Chung's instructions, the Ministry of Health and Welfare decided to dispatch an emergency on-site response team to the Eastern Detention Center on the 3rd, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency plans to increase the number of epidemiological investigators already dispatched, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

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