Prime Minster Hwang Kyo-ahn declared a de facto end to the outbreak of MERS on Tuesday that has claimed 36 lives in the country since May.

The number of people diagnosed with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome has remained flat at 186 for the past 23 days, with the release of the last suspected patient Monday, indicating a slim chance of the country reporting an additional case.

"After weighing various circumstances, the medical personnel and the government judge that the people can now be free from worry," Hwang said in a meeting of relevant government officials.