Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin: "Nationwide Disaster Relief Payments Should Be Made Around September to October"

One-Year Anniversary of COVID-19 Cases: Statement
Announcement of Five Key Tasks for Daily Recovery and Economic Leap

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin delivering a statement on the 1st anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Daegu on the 18th.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] On the 18th, marking the first anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 case, Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu, announced a public address outlining five core initiatives aimed at restoring daily life and boosting the economy.

Mayor Kwon expressed his gratitude, saying, "I bow my head in thanks to the citizens who have created world-renowned quarantine measures, the medical staff, firefighters, and volunteers who came from across the country, and all the people of the nation." He emphasized, "We will thoroughly document this great history of cooperation and solidarity so that future generations will remember it forever."

The 'five core initiatives' declared by Mayor Kwon on this day are: ▲ rapid and safe vaccination ▲ Daegu-style citizen participation quarantine system ▲ bold and timely economic and psychological quarantine ▲ maximizing resilience in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era ▲ focusing capabilities on future investments.

First, Daegu, which formed the 'COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Team' last month led by the Deputy Mayor, has completed preparations for vaccination by organizing regional consultative bodies and expert committees.

Daegu plans to carry out vaccinations without disruption at nine vaccination centers and over 800 entrusted medical institutions for all citizens aged 18 and older, in line with the government's vaccine supply plan. This is expected to establish herd immunity by early November, enabling a significant return to normal life.

Second, the city intends to establish a creative and optimized Daegu-style citizen participation quarantine system. Until herd immunity is achieved through vaccination, the city will build an optimized and creative citizen participation quarantine system based on scientific evidence gained from the past year’s experience.

While further strengthening the infectious disease response medical system, including public isolation beds, dedicated hospitals, and residential treatment centers, Daegu will actively promote the establishment of a specialized infectious disease hospital in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area and the construction of the second Daegu Medical Center.

3.8 trillion won 'Daegu-style Economic Quarantine' Measures... Benefits for 530,000 People
Mayor Kwon: "Compensation for losses of self-employed and small business owners should be applied retroactively"

Third, Daegu will implement bold and timely economic quarantine and systematic psychological quarantine. The city will promptly execute the first Daegu-style economic quarantine measures, announced on the 9th, worth 3.8 trillion won supporting 530,000 people, and promote early execution of this year’s project budget to stabilize the livelihood economy.

Additionally, depending on the COVID-19 damage situation, the city is preparing second and third additional economic quarantine measures, while also establishing and operating a tightly integrated psychological quarantine system through collaboration among the Integrated Psychological Support Advisory Group, Daegu City, and the Metropolitan Mental Health Welfare Center.

Fourth, Daegu plans to maximize resilience in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era. In line with the spread of non-face-to-face culture, the city will strategically support untact new industries based on 5G, AR (Augmented Reality), and VR (Virtual Reality), and promote tourism attraction and global investment through both online and offline two-track strategies.

Events such as the Colorful Festival, Chimaek Festival, International Musical Festival, and International Opera Festival, which could not be held last year, will be flexibly scheduled and organized in connection with the vaccination progress. Around late October to early November, when herd immunity is expected to be partially established through vaccination, the city has set a roadmap to promote a compressed economic recovery by implementing the 'Daegu-Gyeongbuk Restart Project.'

Fifth, Daegu will focus its capabilities on investments for the future. The city will unite the capabilities of citizens and residents to advance the integrated new airport construction and Daegu-Gyeongbuk administrative integration, which are the region’s century-long projects, while also preparing thoroughly for the large-scale redevelopment of the Seodaegu Station area, Daegu-style New Deal projects, creation of urban convergence special zones, and large-scale remodeling of industrial complexes.

Daegu is preparing for the prompt commencement of the EXCO Line and Daegu Industrial Line of the urban railway, and will also begin full-scale construction of the urban circulation tram. This year will be designated as the inaugural year for 'Making Daegu a Talent City,' focusing on establishing a public-private joint governance and creating a software-based foundation to foster a knowledge ecosystem.

Mayor Kwon stated, "I propose to the central government that a nationwide disaster relief fund be provided once between September and October, ahead of the expected herd immunity formation in November through vaccination." He emphasized, "I earnestly request the National Assembly to promptly pass the related bill currently pending, so that compensation for losses of self-employed and small business owners can be applied retroactively."

He added, "Although the environment to overcome COVID-19 is gradually being established, I will not let my guard down even for a moment until the day of hopeful spring arrives, and will devote all my efforts to protecting the citizens."

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin delivering a statement on the 1st anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Daegu on the 18th.

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