"K-Disaster," the world's largest laboratory crash, confirmed and dead, "unknown."

South Korea, which preached the excellence of "K-quarantine," is in the worst situation of producing the world's highest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths every day, but the government is showing a far cry from reality. On the 23rd, the government also voiced different concerns about the spread of damage, saying, "The next one to two weeks will be a turning point for overcoming the COVID-19 crisis," and seemed to blame the government for the spread of infection to "Shy Omikron." It has been taking control-oriented quarantine policies for the past two years, but has taken a series of quarantine mitigation measures since February despite opposition from experts, and critics say it is virtually helpless at the peak of the pandemic.

 

Contrary to warnings from the medical community, the government again stressed expectations that the spread of COVID-19 will be dampened within a week or two, leading to a situation for daily recovery. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said, "After one or two weeks, it will be a turning point for the COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "If we endure this time well, we are confident that we can speed up the decline of the epidemic by one more day and minimize unfortunate sacrifices." In addition, the government further eased quarantine by deciding to manage those aged 60 or older and immunocompromised as a general management group if they are confirmed by rapid antigen tests at local hospitals and clinics from the 25th.

 

However, the medical community warns that damage that is not properly reflected in the official COVID-19 death statistics will increase. Chun Eun-mi, a professor of respiratory medicine at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, said, "Considering that COVID-19 paralyzes the front-line treatment system itself and prevents surgery or chemotherapy on time, there will be at least twice as many deaths as official statistics of COVID-19." Kim Woo-joo, a professor of infectious medicine at Korea University Guro Hospital, also predicted, "Including excessive deaths by this summer, there will be about 50,000 to 60,000 people." Moreover, some point out that the government is trying to dilute the possibility of further spread of infection to the "Shy Omikron" responsibility. Prime Minister Kim pointed out, "Recently, some people avoid testing even if they have symptoms," adding, "If the infection is confirmed while delaying the test, the possibility of further transmission increases."