President Moon: "Firm Legal Action Against Group Activities Violating Quarantine Guidelines, Including Illegal Gatherings" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in emphasized that "we cannot refrain from taking firm legal measures against collective actions that violate quarantine guidelines, such as illegal large-scale gatherings." This is interpreted as a warning message to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which forcibly held a large-scale rally on the 3rd.

On the 5th, at the senior secretaries and aides meeting, President Moon stated, "With the summer vacation season and increased population movement, even a small breach in quarantine could lead to a rapid spread, creating an emergency situation."

President Moon expressed concern, saying, "Although the vaccination rate is increasing, the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant has triggered another emergency," and added, "The situation in our country, which has relatively well controlled COVID-19, is also serious." He cited the rapid increase in confirmed cases centered in the metropolitan area, the influx of the Delta variant, and the rise in cluster infections as key examples.

President Moon said, "The key is to suppress the spreading COVID-19 again," urging the quarantine authorities to work closely with local governments to respond urgently. He also emphasized focused inspections of high-risk facilities and the strict application of the one-strike-out policy, which immediately suspends business operations upon violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

President Moon requested, "Since the situation in the metropolitan area, especially Seoul, is serious, local governments in the metropolitan area should take greater responsibility and make every effort to prevent breaches in the metropolitan quarantine network," and added, "We cannot but ask for the cooperation of the public as well. Compliance with basic rules such as wearing masks and social distancing is the most effective defense."

At the same time, he viewed the progress of vaccination as positive. President Moon emphasized, "While accelerating vaccination as planned, we must also heighten vigilance in quarantine and tighten control measures," and added, "Fortunately, vaccination is progressing successfully due to high public participation." He also positively evaluated the fact that the proportion of confirmed cases among those aged 60 and over is in the single digits, and that the rates of severe cases and fatalities have decreased.

President Moon stated, "From this month, we will receive a more stable supply of sufficient vaccine quantities," and emphasized, "We will expand messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine administration, such as Pfizer and Moderna, to about 14,000 private medical institutions to further accelerate vaccination." He added, "If deemed highly beneficial, we will enhance variant virus response through cross-vaccination and shorten the interval between doses to advance the timing of achieving herd immunity."

President Moon acknowledged that "balancing quarantine and the economy is by no means easy," but stressed, "What is clear is that there is no economy without quarantine," emphasizing the need to catch both rabbits. Mentioning the difficulties faced by small business owners and self-employed individuals, he urged, "Although everyone is inevitably exhausted, let's gather strength once more."

He also urged local governments to make efforts to prevent damage from heavy rains. President Moon said, "Please thoroughly prepare in advance for areas vulnerable to landslides or flooding, such as cut slopes, mountain solar power facilities, lowlands, and coastal areas," and added, "Especially, places damaged by last year's floods that have not yet been restored should complete restoration work promptly."

President Moon encouraged, saying, "Above all, preventing loss of life is the top priority," and acknowledged, "Given the heavy pressure of COVID-19 quarantine and the need to prepare for summer disasters, the efforts of related ministries, local governments, and frontline public officials will be very significant."

Through the morning staff meeting that day, President Moon also emphasized 'political neutrality' and stressed focusing on people's livelihoods rather than politics at the senior secretaries meeting. He said, "Although the political season has returned, the government must focus solely on people's livelihoods," and added, "Let's do our best to ensure there is no negligence in protecting the lives and safety of the people."

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