South Korea's Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol has started a 14-day self-quarantine after coming into close contact with a COVID-19 patient.

According to health authorities on Wednesday, Kwon was placed in self-quarantine the previous day after a ministry employee who works closely with the minister tested positive.

Although the minister tested negative, he will be quarantined until 12:00 p.m. on February 9 in accordance with relevant regulations. If he experiences symptoms, the minister will immediately have to get tested again.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong, who had met with the health minister twice this week, also tested negative. Jeong, however, will not have to be quarantined as she did not come into close contact with a patient.