Kim Dong-yeon: "If the COVID re-outbreak and economic recession combine, a truly difficult situation will come"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has warned of a resurgence of COVID-19. The government anticipates that if the situation worsens, the number of confirmed cases, currently around 40,000, could reach at least 200,000 as early as mid-August.

On the 13th, Governor Kim held a video conference on COVID-19 with 31 cities and counties in the province at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office for the first time since his inauguration. He stated, "Active measures are necessary to prepare for the resurgence of COVID-19," expressing concern that "especially with the pandemic and economic crisis combined, a truly difficult and challenging situation may arise."

He particularly noted, "In fact, I believe we had already entered an economic recession before the (COVID-19) pandemic," and worried that "this crisis will not be a cause-and-effect relationship but will strike together as one."

Furthermore, he explained, "If COVID-19 spreads, the already stagnant economy will face additional economic difficulties, leading to truly tough challenges," adding, "This is also why I urged the rapid formulation of livelihood measures during the transition committee period."

Earlier that day, Governor Kim attended a video meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on COVID-19, chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. He said, "(Gyeonggi Province) has prepared numerous tasks for emergency economic response and is currently implementing them focusing on sectors with high public impact," and requested, "I hope the central government will also pay attention to proactive measures for vulnerable groups."

He added, "Gyeonggi Province will reorganize facilities, equipment, and personnel, secure nonstop institutions capable of diagnosis, testing, and oral treatment for confirmed cases, establish a rapid medical response system, newly revise the COVID-19 dedicated organization, and strengthen management of infection-vulnerable facilities."

Currently, Gyeonggi Province is preparing 'One-Stop Medical Institutions' that perform COVID-19 testing, diagnosis, and prescription in an integrated manner, and securing dedicated COVID-19 treatment beds in preparation for the resurgence of COVID-19.

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