President Moon: "I Believe Our People Will Also Get Vaccinated Without Delay" (Comprehensive)

<기사제목>National Assembly Speaker, Supreme Court Chief Justice, and Other 'Five Branch Leaders' Invited to Blue House Meeting... Discussing Overcoming COVID-19 Crisis and Emphasizing the Need for Social Integration

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "We believe that we will be able to vaccinate the public without significant delay, and we are preparing well for it."

President Moon Jae-in said this on the morning of the 22nd at the Blue House during a meeting with the 'five key figures' regarding the issue of vaccination against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). President Moon explained, "There are many concerns about the vaccine these days, but since the vaccine was developed with substantial financial and administrative support, it is somewhat inevitable that the countries where it was developed will vaccinate first."

Although COVID-19 vaccine-producing countries have been able to vaccinate relatively quickly, this means that South Korea is also preparing an environment to receive vaccines without delay. The event inviting the five key figures included National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok, Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Yoo Nam-seok, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and Central Election Commission Chairperson Noh Jeong-hee.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although the year-end event inviting the five key figures could have been an occasion for exchanging pleasantries, the atmosphere was different from usual year-end events due to growing concerns surrounding COVID-19.

President Moon said, "These are difficult times in many ways. It has been a tough year throughout, and we continue to face difficult times at the end of the year," adding, "The COVID-19 situation is tough, our economy is struggling, and the livelihoods of small business owners, self-employed people, youth, and ordinary citizens are very difficult."

While South Korea is recognized for effectively managing COVID-19 compared to other countries, the aftermath of the pandemic is becoming a burden on the lives of ordinary people. The five key figures also showed interest in the social impact of COVID-19, especially on vulnerable groups.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su said, "When unexpected difficulties arise, vulnerable groups in society seem to suffer more damage," and added, "I think we need to check whether judicial access and protection through trials for people with disabilities, women, children, and multicultural families are adequate."

Constitutional Court Chief Justice Yoo Nam-seok said, "COVID-19 has significantly contracted social and economic activities, becoming an obstacle to the sustainable development of the economy," and added, "It seems to seriously threaten the livelihoods of vulnerable groups. I am worried that income polarization may worsen."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Central Election Commission Chairperson Noh Jeong-hee said, "This year, all aspects of our society, including politics, economy, and culture, were engulfed by COVID-19. I deeply appreciate the efforts to prevent the spread of the infectious disease during this crisis, which can only be described as a long tunnel."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, "We did our best for quarantine this year and achieved some results, so I think that is fortunate. However, the recent rapid increase in confirmed cases makes me feel very sorry as the head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters responsible for quarantine."

The five key figures also emphasized the importance of social integration. National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok said, "I think it is very meaningful that reform legislation for the prosecution, National Intelligence Service, and police has passed. Now that the reform of power institutions has been institutionalized, it is time for substantial operation that aligns with the will of the people. I believe social integration has emerged as an urgent task."

President Moon said, "There are many conflicts these days regarding the reform of power institutions. I believe this will be a good opportunity for democracy based on checks and balances, grounded in our constitutional spirit, to mature and develop further."

President Moon asked the five key figures, "Next year will be the fifth year since our government took office. It is a time to properly conclude state affairs, and our government must establish and promote the task of a major transformation of the Korean economy," adding, "I hope you will help a lot so that the government can fulfill its duties until the very end of its term."

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