President Moon: "K-Quarantine Success Depends on Omicron Response... Secure Sufficient Pediatric Beds" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 26th, regarding the surge in new COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant, "It is necessary to speed up decision-making on the Omicron response policy."

At the 'Omicron Response Review Meeting' held at the Blue House in the afternoon, President Moon said, "The real evaluation of quarantine efforts starts now, and the success of K-quarantine depends on the Omicron response."

The meeting was attended by Koo Yun-cheol, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Yoo Eun-hye, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education; Jeon Hae-cheol, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety; Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare; and Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

President Moon acknowledged achievements in securing hospital beds but emphasized that attention is still needed depending on the speed of Omicron's increase, stating, "In particular, we must ensure sufficient expansion of pediatric hospital beds."

He also pointed out that there may be temporary supply issues with self-diagnostic kits, saying, "We must carefully manage the supply system early on to prevent problems such as delays in delivery to local government screening clinics," and instructed, "Consider providing free support to vulnerable groups such as low-income households."

President Moon warned against excessive anxiety and fear related to Omicron, urging, "We have been preparing for the Omicron response for a month, so explain the situation to the public in detail and with confidence."

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