This article examines the South Korean government's response to the initial COVID-19 outbreak, focusing on the political ramifications and President Moon Jae-in's actions. The article highlights criticism of the government's initial lack of a full travel ban from China, despite warnings from medical associations. The government's decision is contrasted with actions taken by other nations, leading to significantly higher infections in South Korea.
President Moon Jae-in's handling of the crisis is a central theme. His initial optimism about containing the virus, followed by a delayed and insufficient response, is contrasted with his earlier campaign promise to serve as a “control tower” during national disasters. His government's donation of face masks to China and pursuit of summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping are mentioned as potentially contributing factors to the delayed response.
The article points out that the spread of the virus was significantly exacerbated by a large outbreak linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a religious group with many infected members. This event was cited by President Moon as having significantly changed the situation, although criticized for the government's initial failure to prevent this type of spread.
The article notes the political consequences of the government's response, with opposition leaders planning to make this a significant issue during the upcoming midterm elections. The initial mishandling of the pandemic, including the delayed response and optimistic assessment, are identified as major political challenges for the current administration.