Lee Jae-gap: "Criticism of quarantine during regime change is not political... It's based on experts' conscience"

"The current government has also criticized multiple times whenever quarantine policies deviated"

Professor Lee Jae-gap, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, who served as an advisory member of the COVID-19 Daily Recovery Support Committee and stepped down from the position on the 16th of last month / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Professor Lee Jaegab of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital directly refuted claims from some quarters that he changed his stance to criticize quarantine policies because the administration changed.

On the 17th, Professor Lee wrote on his Facebook, "I have been very sick lately. I have no choice but to stand as a critic of government policy," adding, "The medical field is like a battlefield every day."

He continued, "I hear all kinds of stories. Some say I criticize the current administration's quarantine policies just to secure a position during the regime change," and emphasized, "Those who know me well know that I have criticized the current administration several times whenever its quarantine policies were off track, and I have strongly supported necessary policies like the vaccine policy."

He further explained, "Experts do not advise according to the tastes of the administration; rather, with the conscience of an expert, they may criticize or support government policies to ensure the implementation of proper policies," adding, "Even if the administration changes, I will strongly criticize problematic policies and support proper ones. I hope people do not confuse an expert’s conscience with political inclinations."

On the 18th, citizens are lining up to get tested at the temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. / Photo by Yonhap News

Professor Lee stated, "The new administration would never ask me for any position, nor am I dreaming of any role," and expressed his determination, "People who view all worldly phenomena politically call me an opportunist, but I will continue to strive to live with the conscience of an expert."

Earlier, Professor Lee served as an advisory member of the COVID-19 Daily Recovery Support Committee but resigned voluntarily on the 16th of last month in protest against the government's easing of quarantine guidelines.

Since then, Professor Lee has repeatedly criticized the government whenever it announced partial easing of social distancing measures. On the 15th, he wrote on Facebook, "Stop the absurd wordplay comparing the fatality rate of the flu to (COVID-19). Has the flu ever had 400,000 confirmed cases per day?" and criticized, "If the flu had 400,000 cases per day, the medical system would collapse."

He added, "All available policy measures have been lifted," and appealed, "The government must acknowledge that the medical system’s capacity has reached its limit and honestly confess to the public that the medical system is on the verge of collapse."

He emphasized, "We must appeal to the public to participate in personal infection prevention efforts," and stressed, "It cannot be delayed any longer."

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