President Moon's First Security Briefing in 7 Weeks... Likely to Urge 'Metropolitan Area Quarantine Inspection'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in will preside over the Chief Secretary and Senior Secretary Meeting (Sobo Meeting) for the first time in seven weeks. Amid a recent increase in COVID-19 cases centered in the Seoul metropolitan area and growing concerns over the spread of the 'Delta variant,' he is expected to urge strict compliance with quarantine rules.

The Blue House announced on the afternoon of the 5th that President Moon will preside over the Sobo Meeting at the Yeomin-gwan of the Blue House.

This is the first Sobo Meeting since May 17, seven weeks ago. In late May, the Korea-U.S. summit and the P4G Seoul Summit took place, and last month, the G7 Summit and a European tour followed, leaving no time to hold the Sobo Meeting. Last week, there was an expanded economic ministers' meeting.

During this Sobo Meeting, held together with Blue House aides, President Moon is expected to review the recent quarantine situation and urge all-out efforts for quarantine measures in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Recently, the number of confirmed cases has been around 800 for two consecutive days, mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area. This is the highest level in 26 weeks since January 2, when the 'third wave' occurred, raising concerns about a 'fourth wave.'

In particular, COVID-19 is spreading mainly among young people, and concerns about the 'Delta variant' have been raised, leading to calls for tightening the previously loosened quarantine measures.

President Moon is also expected to demand thorough responses from the quarantine authorities and compliance with quarantine rules from the public in this regard.

With consecutive resignations of Blue House secretaries raising questions about the responsibility of Chief Personnel Secretary Kim Oe-sook in the political sphere, attention is also focused on whether President Moon will make remarks related to Blue House personnel matters.

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