Do Je-hae edits news stories as part of the AI team.
Moon reaffirms support for China in epidemic
President Moon Jae-in at a meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 3, 2020 Yonhap
By Do Je-hae
By Do Je-hae
President Moon Jae-in has reaffirmed the need for close cooperation with China to overcome the coronavirus outbreak which started in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The President also explained that Seoul's entry ban of people who have visited Hubei Province was an “inevitable measure” considering the mounting public concern here about the spread of the epidemic.
“China is a country with which we conduct the largest people-to-people exchanges and trade. China's difficulties are linked to our difficulties,” Moon said during a meeting with his senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. “The two countries should work together to overcome the crisis. As a neighbor, Korea will not spare any efforts to extend all our support and cooperation. True neighbors are those who join forces at a time of need.”
The remarks come amid rising concern that Seoul's announcement to temporarily prohibit the entry of foreigners who have travelled to Hubei Province in the last two weeks could hamper relations with China. Beijing has shown discontent toward similar measures taken by the U.S. and Japan, saying that the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against travel restrictions. New Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming stated that he was against such restrictions in a local media interview.
Moon stressed that the measure was necessary to protect Korean citizens. “We have to tighten our immigration controls to protect our people. Countries around the world are also enforcing immigration controls to prevent the inflow and spread of infectious diseases. The temporary entry limit for foreigners who have visited Hubei Province and the temporary suspension of visa-free entry to Jeju are inevitable measures taken for the safety of our people.”
The entry ban came after a Cheong Wa Dae online petition site was flooded with requests to limit the entry of people coming from the epicenter of the coronavirus. Cheong Wa Dae was initially careful to respond to the demands considering the impact it could have on relations with China, especially when the two countries are in the process of arranging a Korea-China summit in the coming weeks. But the government eventually decided to impose the ban Sunday.
The President stressed the need to contain secondary and tertiary infections. “In particular, we must actively respond to the public's anxiety,” he said.
Moon also underlined the importance of close cooperation between central and local governments and reassured the people of the government's full commitment to keep on top of the situation. “The situation may be just beginning. We don't know how much more it's going to spread, and when it's going to end. We are at a critical juncture and are determined to do our utmost.”