Deputy Prime Minister Hong Tests Negative for COVID-19... Ministry of Economy and Finance Plans Normal Return to Work After Epidemiological Investigation

Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, is attending the Government Policy Coordination Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on August 5, 2021. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, tested negative in the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the 5th.

A Ministry of Economy and Finance official conveyed this through a text notice to the ministry's press corps in the afternoon, adding, "However, he will work from home until the official epidemiological investigation results are released."

Earlier that day, it was reported that a secretary in the Minister's office tested positive for COVID-19, leading Hong to cancel all afternoon schedules and remain at home. Because of this, he also did not attend the 'K-Global Vaccine Hub Vision and Strategy Reporting Conference' presided over by President Moon Jae-in.

Before the news of the secretary's positive test was known, Hong had chaired an emergency economic central countermeasure headquarters meeting at the Government Seoul Office at 7:30 a.m. with officials from related ministries and later attended the national affairs inspection and coordination meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum at 10 a.m. This situation raised concerns about a possible COVID-19 alert among senior government officials.

Hong has already completed his COVID-19 vaccination. The Ministry of Economy and Finance stated, "If classified as a passive monitor according to the epidemiological investigation, he can commute to work under the guideline of 'minimizing contact'." They added, "He plans to return to normal work after receiving official notification."

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