Government Removes Time Limit on 'Emergency Response Team' Operation Until End of COVID-19

Approval of the 'Amendment to the General Rules on the Organization and Staffing of Administrative Agencies' at the Cabinet Meeting on the 2nd

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] From now on, the duration limit for the "COVID-19 Emergency Response Teams" operated by each ministry will be removed, and they will continue to operate until the end of COVID-19.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that, following the passage of the amendment to the "General Rules on the Organization and Staffing of Administrative Agencies" at the Cabinet meeting that day, emergency response teams can be continuously operated when it is necessary to protect the lives, bodies, and property of the people from various disasters.

Originally, emergency response teams were automatically disbanded within six months after establishment, or if extended operation was necessary, they could only be extended once (within six months) after consultation with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

The new amendment added the clause, "If it is recognized that urgent measures are necessary to protect the lives, bodies, and property of the people from various disasters, the extension of the operation period shall be determined differently." Accordingly, the "COVID-19 Emergency Response Teams" can continue to operate until COVID-19 is declared over.

The "Emergency Response Team" is a temporary organization at the director level that each ministry can autonomously establish and operate when urgent and important issues arise requiring rapid response. It has attracted attention from the early stages of implementation because it can be quickly established and operated solely by internal regulations without the need for complicated legal amendments or consultation procedures with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Currently, 22 ministries including the Financial Services Commission, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries operate a total of 25 emergency response teams, among which 21 are dedicated to COVID-19 response.

The "COVID-19 Emergency Response Teams" operated by each ministry have played a significant role in the COVID-19 response process. For example, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' COVID-19 Emergency Response Team took measures such as turning back ships when confirmed cases occurred among foreign crew members to prevent community infection in advance, and established and operated temporary living facilities for foreign crew members. So far, more than 15,000 foreign crew members have been admitted, and about 100 confirmed cases have occurred, but no additional infection cases have been reported as a result.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety established an "Emergency Response Team" when mask supply issues arose in the early stages of the COVID-19 spread, continuously monitoring mask production volume, prices, number of manufacturers, and product approval trends to ensure mask supply safety. It also plays a role in alleviating public anxiety by transparently disclosing COVID-19 response situations such as treatment and vaccine-related matters.

Jeon Hae-cheol, Minister of the Interior and Safety, said, "Through this amendment to the general rules, each ministry can extend and operate the COVID-19 Emergency Response Teams as needed," adding, "We will continue to flexibly operate organizational systems to respond to urgent national crisis demands, promptly support necessary organizations and personnel, and strive for the early end of COVID-19."

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