Lee Jae-myung: "COVID-19 Prevention Should Be Smart and Flexible... No Problem Operating Until Midnight"

"Bureaucrats Are the Problem... Responding with the Same Total Lockdown Despite COVID Evolution"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, criticized the current government's COVID-19 quarantine measures on the 18th, saying, "If people have received the third vaccination, there should be no problem allowing businesses to operate until midnight," and pointed out, "The problem lies with the bureaucrats."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, during a campaign rally at Mokpo Peace Square, Lee said, "COVID-19 now is not the same as it was two years ago."

He emphasized, "Although the infection rate is extremely fast, it slightly exceeds the level of the flu, and severe cases are not occurring significantly," adding, "Quarantine measures should change flexibly and smartly, rather than the initial method of complete lockdown."

He then encouraged supporters by saying, "If people have received the third vaccination, there should be no problem allowing businesses to operate until midnight."

When supporters gathered at the site responded with "That's right," Lee retorted, "It makes no sense that even though so many people gather like this, it is prohibited for more than six people to meet in restaurants after 10 p.m."

He stated, "The problem lies with the bureaucrats," and criticized, "They are stuck in old habits and customs, thinking that what was done during the early stages of COVID-19 is good, so even though the virus has evolved and changed, they are responding in the same way," and questioned, "Can this be acceptable?"

Lee raised his voice, saying, "I, Lee Jae-myung, will respond in a smart and flexible way to quickly overcome COVID-19."

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