Suwon Mayor Yum Tae-young, Chair of National Association of Mayors and Governors: "Epidemic Crisis, Please Exercise Civic Responsibility"

[Suwon Ilbo=Correspondent Seo Dong-young] The National Association of Mayors and Governors (hereafter National Association), chaired by Suwon Mayor Yum Tae-young, expressed concern on the 20th regarding the spread of community transmission centered on Seoul expanding nationwide, and appealed for active citizen participation to prevent a large-scale second wave of the pandemic.

The National Association expressed concern that the COVID-19 transmission situation spreading from Sarang Jeil Church and the August 15 rally at Gwanghwamun held on the 15th has developed into a very serious situation, with cumulative confirmed cases reaching 623 as of the 19th. It then requested that local governments concentrate their efforts on preventing community transmission, as additional transmission is spreading widely.

In particular, it urged residents from across the nation—including South Gyeongsang, Daegu, North Gyeongsang, South Jeolla, South Chungcheong, North Jeolla, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon provinces—who attended the Gwanghwamun rally by chartered bus to cooperate quickly and promptly with COVID-19 testing.

As frontline epidemic prevention officials, the National Association urged the following measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission from Sarang Jeil Church, the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally participants, and the government.

First, members of Sarang Jeil Church and participants in the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally must accurately report their movements and transparently disclose the list of participants.

Second, members and participants must promptly report themselves, cooperate actively with testing and epidemiological investigation, and enter self-quarantine.

Third, if members and participants fail to comply with quarantine measures such as voluntary reporting and cause secondary infections, local governments will pursue legal action and seek compensation.

Fourth, we urge the government to issue administrative orders to take strong measures to ensure prompt voluntary reporting, inspection, and quarantine.

In response, Chairman Yum Tae-young stated, "The suffering and concerns of the people are truly great due to COVID-19 spreading from Sarang Jeil Church and the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally," and "The epidemic prevention and medical systems that medical personnel and citizens have painstakingly built over the past six months are on the verge of collapse. Though difficult, we urge everyone to once again exercise high civic responsibility and actively participate in adhering to quarantine guidelines."