Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
COVID-19 paralyzes political circles
The entrance of the main building of the National Assembly in Seoul is locked, Thursday, after a reporter covering the ruling party tested positive for COVID-19 the previous day. / Yonhap
By Kang Seung-woo
By Kang Seung-woo
A photo journalist covering the ruling party has tested positive for COVI-19, disrupting operations at the National Assembly and among political parties. The Assembly was closed Thursday for disinfection of the affected buildings, while parties scrambled to cancel all their meetings scheduled for the day.
Given that the leaderships of the ruling and opposition parties and even the Assembly speaker were found to have had direct or indirect contact with the journalist, concerns are lingering that the coronavirus pandemic may affect the Assembly's regular sessions slated for next month.
Right after the reporter tested positive Wednesday, the Assembly announced its closure and the postponement of nine committee meetings scheduled for Thursday. This is the second time that the Assembly has temporarily been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic after it did so in February.
Assembly initially planned to close the main building and relevant facilities only for Thursday, but later in the day decided to extend the closure to Saturday, with operations set to return to normal, Monday. Despite the envisaged normalization, disruptions will be inevitable as if more and more politicians undergo virus tests and self-quarantine at home, based on epidemiological investigation results.
Over 50 people, including 14 senior members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), came into contact with the infected reporter who was present at the party's Supreme Council meeting, Wednesday, according to the Assembly. They included Chairman Lee Hae-chan and floor leader Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, who were immediately placed under self-quarantine following the confirmation of the infection.
On Thursday, the Assembly secretariat notified the DPK that the health authorities recommended Lee and Kim undergo a virus test, while advising them to stay in self-quarantine.
According to the DPK, Lee, Kim and six others underwent a virus test following notification and all of them tested negative. Their self-isolations were immediately lifted, but they will have another test on Monday
The incident is a huge blow to the ruling party which is scheduled to hold a convention in two days to select a new leader.
Speculation is that the DPK may not get expected public attention through the convention, which will be held virtually and also without leading candidate Rep. Lee Nak-yon, who is in self-quarantine after coming into indirect contact with an infected individual. Now the current leaders will be unable to attend the event as well and they plan to send virtual messages.
“A failure to draw public attention (amid declining support) may not lead the ruling party to enjoy the anticipated convention bounce,” a DPK official said.
The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) also canceled party meetings set for Thursday. In case of additional setbacks in scheduled parliamentary session and party meetings, it is considering rearranging a meeting ― slated for next week, through which its interim leader Kim Chong-in will unveil the party's new name and byelaws.
There are serious concerns about possible indirect contact infections as the DPK floor leader met with Assembly Speaker Rep. Park Byeong-seug and UFP floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young right after the Supreme Council meeting, raising speculation that the pandemic may further disrupt the Assembly, which is scheduled to open its regular session Sept. 1.
In response, the Assembly is accelerating its plan to build a videoconferencing system for general meetings ― although the National Assembly Act would need a revision.
“The DPK floor leader has asked the secretariat of the National Assembly to expedite the job,” a DPK official said.
The UFP is also reported to have agree to the plan.