Prepare for the fundamental changes that will come soon after the Corona Pandemic!

By Deok Soon Yim, Ph.D.

( Senior Research Fellow of Science and Technology Policy Institute)

April 12, 2020

  The Corona virus has been rampant day after day. Although the world is busy responding to the Pandemic now, things will calm down one day. It's time for someone to think about how to respond to the fundamental changes that the Corona crisis will bring. To this end, let's look at the causes of the Corona crisis, new phenomena now and new trends in the future, and the strategy to cope with those fundamental changes.

  Why is the virus that has been around since the beginning of the world now becoming so popular? Some people find answers in the food culture, but let’s find the fundamental reasons in the urbanization and globalization, which make us to live closely. In the past, the phenomenon that would have disappeared naturally in the local area has become more prevalent in modern times even though we have better medical technologies because of the urbanization that maintains a close living style and increased inter-country and inter-city connectivity.

  There are wide differences in dealing with the crisis by country. In the area of health and medical care, the test, treatment and prevention of transmission are basically needed to prevent the rapid spread of Corona. In order to control transmission, it is necessary to isolate patients, restrict close contact, and movement of people. In the process of dealing this pandemic, not only the medical and health resources and life-styles of each country but also the political system is making a big difference in how they are handled. Apart from the personal identification technology, there is a big difference in how to grasp or control individual information based on the level of trust between the people and the government. Ultimately, things will end with the development of the cure medicine.

  Economic activities are sharply shrinking. Difficulties among businesses in the service sectors and small business are increasing due to reduced production and reduced demand. The global supply chain is also in trouble. Some people worry about global food shortage. What is certain is that cash-strapped economic players will go bankrupt and the impact on developing countries and marginal poor will be even worse. Of course, there are some sectors which enjoy relatively high demands. For instance, diagnostic kits and hygiene products, online lectures, telemedicine, mobile shopping, and video conferencing systems are seeing unprecedented increasing world-wide demand.

  Changes in economic and social trends after Corona will be a paradigm shift. The so-called intact social phenomenon will be an irreversible trend. There will also be a trend to reposition the global supply chain and secure safe supply in the national strategic sector, like medical and auto industries. This is not all. Public judgment on the leadership of each government will also follow. Some countries may undergo regime change. Also, the international battle about the responsibility for the spread of Corona will continue.

Mankind has to reflect more deeply on the economic and social changes brought by the Corona virus, for example, control of personal information as well as an intact society, participation of citizens and the way each government handled in the course of coping Corona virus. Keywords that penetrate the Corona situation are connectedness, openness and inequality. Can we offset our shortcomings by keeping the advantages of connectivity, which is symbolized by globalization? It remains to be seen how human nature, a social animal, can be compatible with non-face-to-face society. Openness is also related to the political system, as the philosopher Karl Popper pointed out earlier in an open society. Which system would you choose between a fully controlled country and decentralized open country? Or is there the freedom of choice? How do we embrace countries and citizens who are left behind because of their lack of economic and technological capabilities? At a time when more global cooperation is needed, each country decision for its own sake will only jeopardize all and make the crisis bigger.

  The virus shows the naked face of mankind. This is not just about health-care or science and technology, but about calling for fundamental changes in economic and social politics. It is hoped that the Republic of Korea will take this opportunity to strengthen its status as a country that leads global cooperation and cooperation as a free democracy on the global stage.

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KOR https://www.etnews.com/20200410000127