Won Hee-ryong: "Let's Start With Corona Instead of the 'Nonsense Distancing' That Forces People's Sacrifice"

Won Hee-ryong, a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party's presidential primary, is holding a press conference on the morning of the 2nd at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, to announce his pledge on the "Public Procurement Basic Act," a national chance for innovative growth and a growth platform for future industries. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Won Hee-ryong, former governor of Jeju and a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, raised his voice against the government's decision to extend the social distancing Level 4 in the Seoul metropolitan area, urging to "start With Corona immediately."

On the 3rd, Won posted on his Facebook, "The Level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area has been extended for 4 weeks," adding, "For small business owners who have been heartbroken by the previous 2-week extensions, a 4-week extension is too much. The people are now completely exhausted."

He proposed, "Let's start With Corona immediately," and suggested, "Let's implement it step by step. Let's first remove meaningless time and capacity restrictions."

He continued, "Even if families gather together during Chuseok, our people will continue to follow hygiene rules as they have done so far," and said, "Rather, the people themselves will strengthen hygiene management."

He also added, "Let's gradually apply vaccine incentives to high-risk businesses."

Won emphasized, "Let's think strategically. We need a scientific and effective quarantine system," and warned, "The 'nonsensical social distancing' that forces excessive sacrifices only on the people is neither safe nor sustainable, and the national economy will collapse. Let's trust the people and start With Corona immediately."

Earlier that day, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that the metropolitan area will maintain social distancing Level 4 for 4 weeks starting from the 6th of this month. Level 3 will be applied to non-metropolitan areas.

Prime Minister Kim stated, "We will reasonably adjust quarantine standards to alleviate the difficulties of people's livelihoods as much as possible," and added, "Restaurants and cafes will have their operating hours restored from 9 PM to 10 PM, and gathering limits will be allowed up to 6 people."

He further explained, "During the day, gatherings of 2 or more people are allowed, and after 6 PM, gatherings are limited to cases including at least 4 vaccinated people," and said, "It is now difficult to ignore the cries of small business owners and self-employed people suffering from repeated strengthened quarantine measures."

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