Yoon's Long-Distance Doorstepping... "So That Common People Do Not Suffer Economic Impact" (Update)

Resumption Just One Day After Temporary Halt Due to COVID-19 Resurgence... Basic COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines Expected to Be Finalized Soon

President Yoon Suk-yeol is maintaining distance while answering questions from reporters as he arrives at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the morning of the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Seok-yeol resumed doorstepping (brief press conference on the way to work) on the 12th. This came just one day after the presidential office announced a temporary suspension due to the resurgence of COVID-19. However, unlike the previous Q&A format held at a distance of 1 to 2 meters with reporters, President Yoon indirectly conveyed his intention to continue doorstepping depending on the situation, maintaining a safe distance of 7 to 8 meters for long-distance doorstepping.

That morning, on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office building, President Yoon met with reporters waiting at a distance and said, "COVID has infected many of you. So we recommended working from home as much as possible and asked to keep the building safe," before adding, "If you have any questions, please ask."

In response to reporters' questions about what he prioritizes most in the difficult economic situation, President Yoon said, "The most important thing is the livelihood of ordinary people," and added, "We must ensure that the economy does not suffer damage." Through the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s briefing the day before, President Yoon instructed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho to check the implementation status of livelihood stabilization measures and prepare plans to reduce the tax burden on ordinary citizens. He also ordered a preemptive response to the 'Chuseok Livelihood Stabilization Measures,' considering variables such as this year’s earlier Chuseok holiday, the rainy season, and heatwaves.

Regarding the COVID-19 resurgence, President Yoon stated that basic policies will soon be decided. He said, "Yesterday, I held a meeting with the Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the Chair of the National Infectious Disease Response Committee, and the Vice Minister of Health and Welfare," and added, "Tomorrow, there will be a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, where the basic policy will be established."

When asked if he would do doorstepping again tomorrow, President Yoon replied, "Why not?" and said, "If you are okay with it, let's have a photo line in a few days." This indicates his willingness to allow long-distance doorstepping with reporters. The presidential office also expressed that resuming doorstepping with a safe quarantine system applied is fully possible.

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