[Excerpt from the 208th Supreme Council Meeting]

“We are each other’s safety nets.”

□ February 5th, 2020 (Wed.) 

■ Lee Hae-chan, Chairman of the DPK

Just moments ago, we held a consultative meeting of high-level officials from the government and the ruling party to discuss additional countermeasures to the new coronavirus outbreak. The officials agreed to make proactive preparations for all expected possibilities and mobilize all available financial and administrative means to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Taking into consideration the fact that the 16th patient confirmed yesterday reported having visited Thailand, we also agreed to come up with additional countermeasures to avoid further spread of the virus by those who visit countries other than China.  

At the same time, we must be fully prepared to reduce any negative impact the coronavirus outbreak could have on the Korean economy. The government has formed a task force to try and determine the exact state of affairs regarding this public health emergency. As China holds ever greater importance to our economy, however, it is necessary for Korea to proactively prepare for the situation to be prolonged.

Fortunately, I was told that the second confirmed patient has completely recovered from the virus and is expected to be discharged from the hospital – the first to be fully recovered among confirmed patients in Korea. In addition, it is said that there have been major improvements in the first confirmed coronavirus patient’s condition, so that they can resume a normal life. Korea has the world’s top-class quarantine systems as well as trained medical staff. We encourage everyone to believe in ourselves and support one another so that we can overcome this emergent situation together. 

A citizen living in Asan is reported to have said, “We are each other’s safety nets.” No matter how serious the new coronavirus outbreak is, if we work and try hard, we can overcome it together.