[Comprehensive] "Inconsistent Quarantine" Opposition Criticizes Moon Jae-in Government over 'Reality of 4th Wave'

Opposition: "Irresponsible quarantine harms the people," "Incompetent quarantine"
Yoo Seung-min: "The problem is the inconsistent Moon administration"
Ruling party: "Please endure a little longer... We will make every effort"

Citizens are lined up to get tested at a temporary screening clinic for COVID-19 set up near the Seogang University Station transfer public parking lot in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the spread of COVID-19 intensifies with over 1,000 confirmed cases for two consecutive days, the opposition party raised the issue of government responsibility on the 7th, stating that "the government's inconsistent quarantine measures have only caused greater inconvenience to the public."

Kang Ming-guk, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, released a statement saying, "Nine days after the government announced the 'easing of social distancing,' the daily number of confirmed cases has doubled," and pointed out, "This is because the government prematurely announced the easing of quarantine measures despite the vaccination rate not being high."

He continued, "The government's 'principle-less quarantine' sends wrong signals, causing confusion among the public and weakening the vigilance against COVID-19, leading to its spread," and criticized, "This is not the first time the Moon Jae-in administration has implemented 'principle-less quarantine.' In February, despite not meeting the criteria for easing social distancing, President Moon declared that 'COVID-19 will soon end' and announced that 'mandatory measures such as gathering bans and business restrictions will be minimized.'

He questioned, "Why does the COVID-19 situation always turn out opposite to President Moon's words?" and added, "During the prolonged COVID-19 crisis of over a year, President Moon's statements have changed repeatedly. He said 'the end of the tunnel is in sight,' then called it a 'quarantine emergency situation,' and again said 'the end is in sight.'"

Finally, Kang said, "Due to the government's inconsistent quarantine measures, the spread of COVID-19 has not been controlled, and only the public suffers greater inconvenience," and asked, "How long must the innocent public bear the damage caused by 'principle-less quarantine'?"

Hwang Bo-seung-hee, the chief spokesperson of the same party, also released a statement on the same day, criticizing, "The warning signs of a large-scale outbreak, such as successive Delta variant cluster infections, a rapid increase in infections among young people, and slow vaccination rates, were already detected everywhere," and said, "However, the government hastily brought up easing quarantine guidelines ahead of the summer vacation season when mobility increases."

She added, "Even though cases of Delta variant infections were found domestically, the government declared the lifting of outdoor mask mandates for first-dose vaccine recipients," and said, "The government did not listen to the opposition and experts who urged proactive responses to the variant virus and expressed concerns about the hasty easing of quarantine measures."

She urged, "The government should stop threatening innocent small business owners and self-employed people with the 'one-strike-out system' and 'claims for damages' and blaming the public," and strongly criticized, "It is the government's complacent and incompetent quarantine measures that are nullifying the public's dedication and sacrifice over the past year and a half."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who ran as an opposition presidential candidate. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoo Seung-min, a former People Power Party lawmaker running as an opposition presidential candidate, also raised his voice criticizing the government for "being inconsistent every time."

He posted on his Facebook titled "How many times have you been inconsistent?" saying, "For the past year and a half, the public has lived giving up ordinary daily life amid the COVID crisis. But yesterday, the number of new confirmed cases surged. The exhausted public is at a loss about how to endure going forward."

Yoo questioned the government, "Why has vaccination stalled? Is there a problem with the vaccine supply promised by the government?" and asked, "President Moon said there would be a zero-tolerance policy for quarantine guideline violations. Then why did the government announce easing quarantine stages last week amid dangerous situations like the Delta variant?"

He added, "If there were mistakes or errors in vaccine procurement and quarantine, please respond seriously," and warned, "Because of the hasty desire for 'K-quarantine success,' the government must not push the public into a corner to create a daily life of removing masks."

Meanwhile, the ruling party emphasized the need for active participation in quarantine measures as the fourth wave of the pandemic intensifies. Shin Hyun-young, the floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a written briefing, "Confirmed cases are pouring out simultaneously nationwide," and added, "The infection pattern concentrated in the metropolitan area is particularly threatening."

She explained, "The government has also responded immediately. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated that depending on the trend within 2-3 days, the strongest stage of the new social distancing system might be applied," and described, "The revised 4-stage social distancing allows private gatherings of up to two people until 10 p.m., with bans on gatherings and work-from-home measures applied."

Shin emphasized, "The Democratic Party accurately recognizes the seriousness of the quarantine situation and will enter full preparation to strengthen quarantine measures," and said, "We will devote all efforts to turning the quiet darkness our society will soon face into hope once again."

Finally, she said, "Please endure just a little longer and be patient," and promised, "We will do our best to secure vaccine supply and sovereignty and to implement a stable vaccination plan to provide a society where the public can hold hope."

Meanwhile, the government is considering applying the new 4-stage social distancing in the metropolitan area if the spread is not controlled and daily confirmed cases continue to exceed 1,000.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum emphasized at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting the day before, "If we observe for 2-3 more days and the situation does not improve, we may have to take measures up to the strongest stage of the new social distancing."

Lee Ki-il, the first controller of the CDSCH, also said at a briefing, "If the current spread continues, it is expected that the criteria for stage 4 will soon be met, and in that case, we will immediately consider applying stage 4 in Seoul or the metropolitan area in consultation with local governments."

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