Hong Nam-ki Acting Prime Minister: "No Gaps in Quarantine Measures... Goal of 12 Million Vaccinations in the First Half of the Year"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, officially began his duties as Acting Prime Minister by presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 18th. April 18, 2021. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance), said on the 18th, "We are doing our best to introduce and administer vaccines with the goal of vaccinating 3 million people by April and 12 million people in the first half of the year."

Substituting for the resigned former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Hong, who chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 for the first time that day, said, "In this severe COVID-19 crisis, even during this temporary acting period, we will do our best to ensure that there is no gap in state affairs, especially in quarantine response."

Regarding concerns about recent supply disruptions of COVID-19 vaccines, he said, "The government is making all-out efforts on all fronts, including securing vaccine supplies as early and as much as possible, advancing procurement schedules, the possibility of additional contracts, expanding domestic contract production, and mobilizing diplomatic capabilities," emphasizing, "Among the current national issues, achieving herd immunity by November is the top priority, and the cabinet will devote all its capabilities to this."

Hong expressed concern, saying, "Infections are occurring in almost all daily places, and the infection reproduction number has reached 1.10," adding, "If we become complacent, a fourth wave could come at any time in this serious situation."

He added, "What is most important is that the public strictly adhere to daily quarantine rules, that is, 생활방역 (daily life quarantine)," and said, "The government, including all ministries, local governments, and quarantine authorities, will respond to quarantine with heightened tension, responsibility, and cooperation."

Furthermore, he stated, "Thorough quarantine responses such as preemptive testing to reduce confirmed cases and strengthening preemptive blocking measures are important," and announced, "The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will discuss 'strengthening preemptive testing for high-risk groups and epidemic areas' in today's meeting."

In particular, Hong seemed to target the 'Seoul-type Coexistence Quarantine' recently proposed by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, saying bluntly, "There can be no separation between central and local governments on the quarantine front." He emphasized, "Due to the nature of the issue, it is crucial to form a single front and respond to quarantine in a seamless and coordinated manner," and reiterated, "Close consultation and cooperation between the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and local government quarantine authorities is a very important point."

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