President Moon Presents Appointment Letter in Person to Jeong Eun-kyeong in a Bold Move

Appointment Ceremony of the Director of Disease Control Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk
First Time Presenting Appointment Letter by Visiting Frontline Site
Expressing Trust and Expectations for the 'K-Quarantine Commander'

President Moon Jae-in is presenting the appointment letter to Jung Eun-kyung, the inaugural Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, at the Emergency Situation Center of the Disease Control Headquarters in Cheongju, Chungbuk, on the 11th.

President Moon Jae-in personally visited the Emergency Situation Center of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) in Cheongju, Chungbuk on the 11th to present the appointment letter to Jeong Eun-kyeong, the newly appointed Commissioner of the KDCA. This was the first time President Moon visited the frontline site to present an appointment letter. Additionally, it is customary for the Prime Minister, not the President, to present appointment letters for vice-ministerial positions. The fact that the President not only personally presented the appointment letter for a vice-ministerial position but also visited the site is seen as a reflection of trust and high expectations for the 'K-Quarantine Commander.'

After presenting the appointment letter, President Moon said, "Congratulations to Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong, the hero of our K-Quarantine, which has been recognized as a global model, on her appointment as the first Commissioner of the upgraded Disease Control and Prevention Agency," and added, "I hope you will do your best to help our people return to normal daily life as soon as possible."

President Moon stated, "Protocol-wise, it might be more honorable to hold the appointment ceremony at the Blue House with more formality," but added, "Considering the KDCA’s situation where not a moment can be spared, and above all, I thought it would be more meaningful to hold the appointment ceremony of the first Commissioner together with the members of the KDCA, who are the protagonists of the agency’s upgrade."

He further said, "Please consider the fact that the KDCA has been upgraded to an agency itself, and that the appointment ceremony of the first Commissioner is held together with the members of the KDCA, who are the protagonists of this upgrade, as the highest gratitude and encouragement from the President and the people to all of you."

Commissioner Jeong said, "The launch of the Disease Control and Prevention Agency is understood as the people's will to swiftly overcome the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis and to respond professionally, systematically, and proactively to new infectious diseases that may threaten public health and social safety," and added, "All staff will unite as one and do their utmost to overcome COVID-19 and faithfully fulfill our role as the control tower for infectious diseases."

Until now, appointment letters for ministerial-level positions were presented by the President, but for vice-ministerial positions, the Prime Minister usually delivered them. Under the Moon Jae-in administration, the President personally presented appointment letters to Kim Hong-hee, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard in March, and Yoo Yeon-sang, Director of the Security Office in May, but such cases were very rare. Notably, unlike the usual practice where family members of the newly appointed heads attend the ceremony, Commissioner Jeong attracted attention by attending with her colleagues.

After the appointment ceremony, President Moon also presented a bouquet and a congratulatory plaque inscribed with the phrase "Healthy People, Safe Society." According to the Blue House, the bouquet consisted of three types of flowers: Alstroemeria, symbolizing "new encounters"; carnations, representing "gratitude"; and wild garlic flowers, signifying "protection."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.