(Unofficial Translation)

I received the very sad news that a physician infected with COVID-19 while attending a confirmed case has become the first victim among our medical professionals.

I am deeply grieved and saddened, indeed. The Korean Medical Association has decided to observe a moment of silence to honor and mourn the late Dr. Huh Yeong-gu. 

I pray that the departed, who was always strict with himself and kind to patients, can rest in peace. Our people may share the same feeling. My heartfelt sympathy also goes to his relatives.

The grief of his relatives might be beyond description as quarantining prevented them from being with him to bid farewell even at the final moment. 

I wholeheartedly salute the medical professionals who neglect their own care and remain dedicated to winning the battle against an infectious disease that persists into April although spring has already arrived. 

In particular, I bow my head in gratitude to the medical professionals in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province who are engaging in life-or-death struggles night and day to treat a tremendous number of confirmed cases. 

Having the passion to put aside their own clinics’ operation and voluntarily rush to provide medical treatment has become a source of power that helps local communities overcome the COVID-19 outbreak. All of you deserve everyone’s respect. 

Thanks to all of you, it has become possible for Korea to be lauded by the world as an exemplary country in infectious disease prevention and control efforts. Still, however, I hope that you will be able to take care of yourselves and your health. 

Let us not lose courage but become stronger and prevail without fail.