Lee Sang-min, Head of 'Itaewon Disaster' TF, "Comprehensive Plan for 'Safety System Reform' in December... First Meeting on 18th"

Minister Lee Sang-min's Opening Remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting
Judging the Start of the 7th Major COVID-19 Wave... Intensive Vaccination Period to be Held for 4 Weeks from the 21st

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government will reflect the results of the task force (TF) meetings, which have been operating in response to the Itaewon tragedy to prevent accidents involving densely crowded crowds, into a comprehensive government-wide plan. Based on the results of the first meeting of the government-wide National Safety System Reform TF, which includes 21 agencies and private experts, a comprehensive plan will be prepared by the end of next month.

Additionally, as the 7th wave of COVID-19 intensifies and there are concerns about increases in critically ill patients and deaths, the government has designated the period from the 21st of this month to the 18th of next month as a focused vaccination period and will make all-out government-wide efforts.

On the 18th, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min stated in remarks at both the Itaewon accident and COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meetings, "It has been 20 days since the Itaewon accident occurred, and the government is concentrating all its capabilities on damage recovery, determining the cause and responsibility of the accident, and preparing measures to prevent recurrence."

The government has received 173 civil complaints through the one-stop integrated support center launched on the 9th, processed 172 of them, and plans to announce a damage recovery plan soon. It is also making every effort to completely improve the national safety system.

The government held a TF meeting yesterday to prevent accidents involving densely crowded crowds and discussed △establishing an on-site crowd management system △measures to alleviate congestion on metropolitan subway lines △ways to interconnect emergency rescue systems.

Furthermore, the first meeting of the government-wide TF for National Safety System Reform, involving 21 agencies and private experts, was held on the same day. This meeting plans to focus on △directions for improving the national safety system △initial response and proactive disaster response directions △strengthening regional capabilities and science-based disaster safety management measures.

Minister Lee explained, "The government-wide TF will present directions for reforming the national safety system that meet public expectations and will prepare a comprehensive plan without fail by the end of December through expert consultation and public opinion gathering."

He added, "Since a large-scale religious event is scheduled in Daegu this weekend, relevant organizations such as the local government and police should make thorough safety management efforts." On the 20th, an event of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, with about 100,000 attendees, will be held in Daegu.

Meanwhile, the government has judged that the 7th wave of COVID-19 has fully begun and announced that it will designate four weeks from the 21st as a focused vaccination period to increase vaccination rates. The infection reproduction number has exceeded '1' for four consecutive weeks, and the proportion of confirmed cases aged 60 and over also exceeds 25%.

Minister Lee said, "The rate of increase in confirmed cases is relatively slower than in previous waves," but added, "The proportion of confirmed cases aged 60 and over recently exceeds 25%, and the additional vaccination rate in the winter season is lower than expected, raising concerns about increases in critically ill patients and deaths."

He continued, "The government will designate the four weeks from next Monday to the 18th of next month as a focused vaccination period and will make government-wide and all-out efforts to increase vaccination rates," adding, "We will set vaccination rate targets for the elderly aged 60 and over and residents of infection-vulnerable facilities and continuously monitor the vaccination status."

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