Inmates infected with COVID-19 are transported from the Dongbu Detention Center in Seoul to another prison in North Gyeongsang Province on Dec. 28, 2020. (Photo: Yonhap News)
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has apologized for the massive coronavirus outbreak at the Dongbu Detention Center in southern Seoul, which is directly managed by the government.
Chung issued the apology Tuesday during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, a day after 233 additional infections were reported at the correctional facility, raising the total caseload to 757.
Chung said the chance of community transmission from the prison was low, but he cautioned that cases could still grow.
He called on the justice ministry and quarantine authorities to step up efforts to stem the spread of the virus and prevent a recurrence at other prisons.
Chung also expressed concern about the new COVID-19 variant that was detected among recent arrivals from Britain, and urged officials to strengthen measures to prevent it from coming into the country.
The prime minister warned that if the variant spreads, it will put a heavy burden on the national quarantine system.
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