Prime Minister Jeong Urges "Refrain from Returning Home or Traveling During Lunar New Year... Must Avoid Nightmare of 4th Wave"

"Egg Prices Rise... All Measures Taken to Stabilize Lunar New Year Grocery Prices" Directive
"Corruption Investigation Office Cannot Intervene in President's Duties... Request to Create an Honest Public Service"

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 26th urged the public to "refrain from visiting hometowns and traveling as much as possible during the Lunar New Year holiday period, and minimize movement and contact," emphasizing that "only then can we avoid the nightmare of an unimaginable 4th wave of COVID-19."

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung presided over the 4th Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong and said, "To overcome the 3rd wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and welcome a warm spring, we must safely get through this holiday."

He noted, "Prices of some items are somewhat unstable ahead of the Lunar New Year," adding, "Egg prices are rising, and due to poor harvests caused by wind and flood damage, the prices of ritual offerings are also concerning." He said, "At today's Cabinet meeting, we will review an agenda for the temporary duty-free import of eggs and egg products."

He continued, "Relevant ministries should take all possible measures, such as expanding the release volume of essential goods, to stabilize the prices of Lunar New Year shopping baskets, and faithfully implement the 'Lunar New Year Livelihood Stabilization Measures' announced last week, so that the public can have a warmer Lunar New Year holiday," urging special efforts.

Prime Minister Chung also mentioned last week's agreement among labor, management, and government on the 'Measures to Prevent Overwork of Delivery Workers,' and that the delivery workers' union withdrew the planned strike.

He said, "I thank the delivery companies and the delivery workers' union for making difficult decisions by compromising with each other to avoid a crisis and achieve coexistence."

He added, "This agreement will significantly improve the working environment, such as reducing the burden of sorting tasks for delivery workers," and instructed, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other relevant ministries should promptly prepare follow-up measures, including automation of delivery sorting facilities and improvement of transaction structures, to support the implementation of the agreement."

He also conveyed a message regarding the newly launched High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC), which started on the 21st.

He explained, "The HCIC is an organization with strictly guaranteed independence," and said, "Neither the President, the Prime Minister, nor anyone outside can interfere with its duties."

He urged, "Based on its high degree of independence, I ask the HCIC to fulfill its responsibilities to become a trusted institution by the public and to build a clean and fair public service society."

Finally, he said, "The cooperation of the National Assembly is essential for the HCIC, which has just taken its first steps, to quickly establish its system," and requested, "Active cooperation in follow-up measures such as the prompt recommendation of members of the personnel committee selecting HCIC prosecutors. The government will also spare no administrative support."

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