SEOUL—Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul has contracted COVID-19, a ministry official disclosed on Monday. The diagnosis was confirmed over the weekend, prompting immediate changes to the minister’s schedule. In light of Cho’s health status, First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun took over the minister’s duties earlier on Monday, representing him at a traditional market in Mapo, western Seoul, in anticipation of the Lunar New Year holiday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Furthermore, Cho has deferred a policy meeting intended for small and medium-sized enterprises, originally planned for Tuesday. The announcement of Cho’s COVID-19 diagnosis comes amid ongoing efforts by public officials and the broader community to manage and mitigate the impact of the pandemic within South Korea.