The focus of our effort is to completely verify the route of infection and completely cut off the links and to stop all additional contacts," Park said at the health ministry.
The outbreak is adding pressure for an interest rate cut in South Korea, possibly as soon as the central bank's next policy meeting this week.
"The effect from MERS on private consumption cannot be overlooked as spending and tourism are quickly shrinking," Park said during a visit to the MERS response headquarters.
"Minimizing the economic impact of the disease and overcoming it has to be part of eradicating the MERS outbreak."