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| Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong heads to brief on vaccination reservation service at the KDCA headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Yonhap |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The "K-quarantine" commander's business expenses are full of to-go orders for meetings, giving a peek into the hard work entailed in fighting the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong's business expense credit card statement went viral online, Thursday, after it was "officially" released by the KDCA, July 6.
Jeong paid about 4 million won ($3,510) in business expenses on 32 occasions in June. Most of the spending was at local eateries in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, where the KDCA headquarters is located, and near Seoul Station and the National Assembly which Jeong frequents for meetings with government officials or lawmakers. She did not spend all the money on herself, as many times she also bought food for officials accompanying her.
On average, Jeong spent 16,000 won per person, which is about half of the 30,000 limit under Korea's anti-graft law, popularly known as the Kim Young-ran Act.
For instance, on June 16, Jeong purchased 5,000 won-worth of doughnuts for five people at a franchise doughnut store in Seoul Station in the morning, which means a 1,000 won doughnut for each person.
Major use included popular snack stands and delivery-only packed lunch places near the KDCA. Most of the payments were made around 11:30 a.m. or 6 p.m., suggesting that Jeong ordered to-go meals for lunch and dinner.
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| KDCA Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyung's business expenses credit card statement from June / Yonhap |
Sometimes Jeong ordered from fancier Korean or sushi restaurants, presumably for meetings with outside experts, but still the amount did not surpass the limit of 30,000 won per person.
Health and welfare minister policy advisor Yeo Jun-seong wrote on Facebook, Thursday, that Jeong eats separately from other officials after ordering take-out food to minimize the possibility of infection.
Internet users showed compassion and praised Jeong for her hard work.
"She should be eating better than this. Please have some meat instead of packed lunches," an internet user wrote.
"Jeong's credit card statement shows the fatigue from fighting the pandemic," another user wrote.
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