Prime Minister Kim: "During the Gwangbokjeol Holiday, Gatherings and Travel Should Be Minimized" (Update)

Public Address to the Nation on COVID-19 Prevention Measures

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is delivering a public address on COVID-19 prevention measures at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 13th. Present at the announcement were Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol, Director Lee Seung-woo of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, and Director Jung Eun-kyeong of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. 2021.8.13
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum appealed on the 13th, ahead of the Liberation Day holiday, to "minimize gatherings and movement during the three-day holiday." Regarding the recent sharp increase in the number of critically ill patients due to the fourth wave of COVID-19, he announced, "We will take administrative orders to ensure that 26 general hospitals in the metropolitan area secure more than 5% of moderate to severe treatment beds."

On the morning of the same day at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Kim held a 'Public Address on COVID-19 Prevention' and said, "I earnestly ask that this holiday, including substitute holidays, become a turning point for overcoming the crisis rather than spreading COVID-19, by refraining from gatherings and movement and staying at home with family."

Despite the high-intensity social distancing measures that have been in place for a month, the fourth wave of COVID-19 is growing uncontrollably. This week, the number of new confirmed cases has consistently been around 2,000 per day. The capacity for medical response to COVID-19 is also being pushed to its limits. Prime Minister Kim said, "We will maximize the proportion of intensive care beds secured at 22 tertiary general hospitals in the metropolitan area and additionally support medical personnel and equipment necessary for bed operation," adding, "If the spread continues, we will expand the scope of administrative orders to non-metropolitan areas to ensure there is no shortage of beds."

Prime Minister Kim stated, "Some experts predict that this is by no means the peak yet," and added, "As the spread continues, the burden on the solid medical response system is increasing beyond the pain of livelihoods and the inconvenience of daily life." He also expressed concern, saying, "The full return to school in the second semester may also be affected by the prevention situation," and "I am afraid that ordinary life may be taken away again by COVID-19."

He urged, "Please be sure to get tested before returning to work after coming back home from vacation spots or long-distance travel," and requested institutions and companies to "check for symptoms such as fever in employees returning to work after vacation before allowing them to start work." Furthermore, he added, "Each company should comply with the recommended telecommuting rates according to the prevention stages to the fullest extent to block the spread of infection at workplaces."

Meanwhile, regarding some conservative groups' announcement of large-scale illegal rallies during this Liberation Day holiday, Prime Minister Kim warned, "There can be no exceptions in prevention measures. No freedom or right can take precedence over the safety and life of the people," and said, "If illegal rallies are forcibly held despite public concerns, the government will strictly hold them accountable according to the law."

Regarding the recent vaccine supply disruption issue from the U.S. pharmaceutical company Moderna, he apologized, saying, "We are very sorry for causing concern to the majority of citizens who want rapid vaccination."

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