Prime Minister Jeong: "Proactive Infection Control in Nursing Hospitals and Facilities Is Very Important"

COVID-19 Cumulative Deaths Exceed 1,000... Majority Are Seniors Aged 70 and Above
Bar Exam and Medical Licensing Exam Held Sequentially... Fair Opportunities Granted to Confirmed Cases

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 5th, "In nursing hospitals and care facilities where elderly patients reside, it is very important to have proactive quarantine management as confirmed cases often worsen to severe conditions and ultimately lead to death."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Prime Minister Chung stated, "In the past month, the number of deaths due to COVID-19 has rapidly increased to about 440, bringing the total death toll to over 1,000 today. Most of these were elderly people aged 70 or older residing in nursing hospitals or nursing homes."

Prime Minister Chung said, "The reason we are fighting COVID-19 by sacrificing ordinary daily life and enduring economic hardships is ultimately to protect the precious lives and safety of our citizens," and urged, "Local governments, nursing hospitals, and care facilities should faithfully implement the government's emergency medical response plan, and quarantine authorities should continuously monitor the implementation status on site and actively provide necessary support."

He continued, "In the case of Seoul Eastern Detention Center, the situation worsened due to missing the initial response timing, so we must now respond swiftly," and requested, "The Ministry of Justice should cooperate closely with quarantine authorities and devote all efforts to emergency response until the situation stabilizes, and thoroughly inspect the quarantine network of all correctional facilities to ensure there are no gaps."

Prime Minister Chung said, "Starting today, the government-supervised bar examination and national medical licensing examination will be held sequentially," and explained, "Yesterday, one day before the bar exam, the Constitutional Court decided to grant fair opportunities even to confirmed patients."

He then instructed, "The Ministry of Justice should respect the Constitutional Court's decision and promptly take necessary measures to ensure that all examinees can safely take the exam."

Additionally, he added, "The Ministry of Personnel Management, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and other ministries supervising various national exams should also consider the intent of this Constitutional Court decision and review quarantine management measures for upcoming exams in advance."

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