Prime Minister Jeong: "If Therapeutics and Vaccines Join K-Quarantine, We Will Overcome COVID-19"

by Moon Chaeseok

Published 31 Dec.2020 09:13(KST)

The Last Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting This Year... Urging the Public to Respond with 'Participatory Quarantine'

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 31st. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 31st, "With solid K-quarantine measures followed by treatments and vaccines, we will be able to overcome the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) faster than any other country."

At the last Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting of this year, held at the Government Seoul Office in the morning, Prime Minister Chung stated, "If we have the strength of K-quarantine and the dignified civic consciousness shown by the people, we can fully overcome COVID-19."

He reflected, "We have fought against the fierce challenges of COVID-19 throughout the year, and the fight is still ongoing. Looking at the whole picture, we have responded well enough to be proud of ourselves."

He added, "By firmly adhering to the three major quarantine principles of openness, transparency, and democracy, we have managed the situation without movement restrictions or lockdowns. K-quarantine, based on the '3T strategy' of rapid testing, tracing, and treatment, has established itself as a global standard."

He continued, "In responding to the unprecedented disaster of COVID-19, we have established the CDSCH system where the central and local governments come together daily to solve problems on the spot. This will become a great asset to effectively protect the lives and safety of the people against any future disasters."

Prime Minister Chung explained, "Starting as early as February next year, vaccinations developed overseas will begin, and the vaccines we are independently developing will be available to the public around the end of next year."

He said, "Based on solid K-quarantine measures, with treatments and vaccines joining in succession, we will be able to overcome COVID-19 faster than any other country."

He also emphasized, "In the new year of the Year of the Ox, the government will take one step further to restore ordinary daily life to all citizens as soon as possible, and I earnestly ask the people to respond with 'participatory quarantine.'"