The National Assembly Reenters a COVID-19 Emergency State

Ahn Gyu-baek of the Democratic Party Tests Positive
Democratic Party Leadership Cancels Official Schedule
People Power Party Holds Online Convention
Chung Sye-kyun and Lee Nak-yeon Also Cancel Schedules and Stay Home
National Assembly Enters Third Shutdown

On the 11th, when Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Gyu-baek tested positive for COVID-19, his office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building was closed. This is the second time a sitting lawmaker has tested positive for COVID-19, following Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Gae-ho on April 15. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] With Ahn Gyu-baek, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, testing positive for COVID-19, Yeouido has entered a 'COVID-19 emergency state.' On the 11th, the Democratic Party canceled all official schedules, and the People Power Party held its party convention online. Since military officials, including Defense Minister Seo Wook, had contact with Ahn at the National Assembly the previous day, the military is also in an emergency situation. On this day, the National Assembly entered its third 'shutdown,' closing the main building.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, underwent COVID-19 testing after a staff member in his office tested positive, and floor leader Yoon Ho-jung began self-isolation at home following Ahn’s positive diagnosis. The leadership had planned a party-government-office meeting to discuss social economy-related legislation that morning but canceled it. Subsequently, the party’s real estate special committee postponed a policy meeting on comprehensive real estate income tax and capital gains tax.

Ahn also attended a discussion hosted by the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association on the 9th, which former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun participated in. Consequently, Chung canceled all his schedules that day and began self-isolation at home. Former party leader Lee Nak-yeon met Ahn at the K Security Forum on the 7th, underwent COVID-19 testing on the 11th, and canceled all his schedules.

The Ministry of National Defense, overseen by the National Defense Committee to which Ahn belongs, was also temporarily on alert. The previous day’s National Defense Committee meeting was attended by Ahn, Minister Seo, the Army Chief of Staff, and the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, among other military leaders. Military officials also attended the Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting where current issues were questioned. On the morning of the 11th, 15 military officials, including Minister Seo, tested negative in PCR tests, providing some relief to the military.

All contacts of Ahn must remain at home until epidemiological investigation results are released. Amid concerns of further infections, the National Assembly has entered a shutdown closing the main building until the 12th. Last February, the National Assembly closed the main building once after Sim Jae-cheol, then floor leader of the United Future Party, came into contact with a confirmed case at a discussion. Later in August, the main building was closed a second time after a photojournalist covering a Supreme Council meeting attended by Democratic Party leadership tested positive.

On the 11th, when four COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the Democratic Party of Korea, disinfection was carried out in the party leader's meeting room at the National Assembly./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Ahn was diagnosed positive after attending an event in his constituency, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, where he came into contact with a confirmed case. This is the second time a sitting lawmaker has tested positive, following Democratic Party member Lee Gae-ho on April 15.

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