President Moon's Official Apology for 'Strengthening Quarantine Measures'... "Apologize to the People" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in officially apologized, saying "I am sorry to the people," regarding the government's strengthened quarantine measures announced on the 16th.

Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, stated in a briefing that "President Moon said, 'I am sorry to the people for having to strengthen the quarantine measures again' in relation to the strengthened measures announced today."

President Moon diagnosed, "We failed to suppress the increase in critically ill patients during the phased recovery of daily life, and preparations such as securing hospital beds were insufficient," and stated, "During the period of strengthened quarantine measures, we will thoroughly reorganize to stabilize the situation as much as possible and continue the hope for recovery of daily life."

He also promised compensation for small business owners and self-employed individuals. President Moon said, "The sense of loss is great among small business owners and self-employed people who had high expectations for the recovery of daily life," and added, "We will promptly finalize and swiftly implement measures to provide the most substantial support possible for loss compensation and cooperation with quarantine."

President Moon emphasized, "It is difficult to predict the COVID-19 situation and to find a balance between quarantine and people's livelihoods, but the government will respond promptly and overcome this together with the people with patience."

Regarding whether President Moon reprimanded the failure of the quarantine authorities to predict hospital beds for critically ill patients, a Blue House official said, "Both the government and the Blue House made efforts, but it was not enough to handle the current COVID-19 situation," and added, "There was no reprimand related to that."

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