Prime Minister Jeong: "One Year of COVID-19... Government Focuses All Efforts on Quarantine"

Presided over the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting on the 20th
"Public 'Participatory Quarantine' Is Most Important" Emphasized

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun. / Photo by Jin-hyeong Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun emphasized on the 20th, marking one year since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in South Korea, that "the government will first concentrate all its capabilities on quarantine efforts."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Prime Minister Chung said, "Today marks exactly one year since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in our country."

He explained, "Looking back, the past year has been a continuous series of 'challenges and responses' without a single day off. Over 70,000 people have been infected, and 1,300 precious lives have been lost, leaving deep scars on our society."

He added, "However, the past year was also a time to reaffirm how we become stronger amid crises. Rather than relying on strict 'lockdowns,' our country has successfully overcome several crises by developing social distancing into 'precision quarantine' based on the 3T strategy."

The 3T strategy consists of the 'Test-Trace-Treat' system: testing and confirming cases, epidemiological tracing, and isolation and treatment, which is the core system of 'K-quarantine.'

Prime Minister Chung mentioned, "Innovative ideas such as the five-day mask distribution system, residential treatment centers, drive-through testing, and electronic entry logs were promptly introduced to the quarantine field, creating 'K-quarantine.' This has earned international praise and elevated South Korea's national prestige."

He then stated, "First, the government will focus all its capabilities on quarantine efforts."

He said, "The government will do its best to make this year the first year of overcoming COVID-19. No quarantine standards or rules can surpass the power of 'participatory quarantine.'"

He continued, "I once again urge all citizens to thoroughly practice quarantine rules in every aspect of daily life."

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