Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul on Feb. 7, 2020, after it was temporarily closed for a cleanup following a recent visit there by a patient diagnosed with the new coronavirus. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 18 (Korea Bizwire) — More than half of South Koreans believe that quarantine policies take priority over human rights, a poll showed Wednesday.
A survey conducted by Prof. Yoo Myung-soon from the Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health with the participation of 1,000 men and women across the country showed that 62.7 percent believe human rights should be considered a lower priority.
Two thirds of the respondents believed that now is the time to focus on containing the spread of the pandemic, even if it takes a toll on the economy. Only 29.2 percent said economic recovery should be prioritized.
A whopping 84.3 percent believed economic recovery is impossible without effective quarantine measures.
Asked about discriminatory practices throughout the coronavirus era, 38.6 percent identified the inequitable opportunity to receive compensation for economic difficulties, while 32.5 percent mentioned the uneven opportunity to work under flexible conditions to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
“A majority of South Koreans believe that quarantine takes priority over economic recovery. Public criticism towards uneven opportunities in overcoming the pandemic tended to focus on economic issues such as jobs or salary,” Yoo said.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health might have a conflict of interest and should not conduct this kind of polls.