President Moon: "Reading Hope in the '500th' COVID-19 Report"

One Year Since Domestic COVID-19 Cases, SNS Messages... "A Miraculous Graph, Our Nation's Proud Strength"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "Today marks exactly one year since the first domestic COVID-19 case was confirmed. This morning, I received the 500th COVID situation report."

President Moon Jae-in shared his reflections on social networking services (SNS) on the 20th, marking one year since the first case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was reported.

President Moon said, "Every morning when I wake up, I start by looking at the COVID situation report. If there is an important development, additional reports come in during the day or before bedtime, which is why this is the 500th report. This report contains painful news such as the daily number of confirmed cases and deaths, as well as our efforts to overcome COVID."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon added, "Although not written explicitly, the report also reflects the hard work of quarantine and medical staff, as well as the difficulties faced by citizens whose daily lives were taken away and whose lives were disrupted. Everyone has truly worked hard over the past year." He also said he found hope in the 500th report. President Moon emphasized, "The cold is severe, but it feels like the faint signs of spring. Although the weather is below freezing, beyond it, spring surely exists."

President Moon said, "Today, I visited SK Bioscience's Andong plant, which is entrusted with producing AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines. Once approved, they are producing enough quantities to supply our country immediately, as well as quantities to be exported worldwide."

President Moon said, "I held a video conference with the CEO of Novavax to finalize the contract. By next month, we will be able to use vaccines and treatments together. This will bring our spring closer," expressing his expectations.

President Moon concluded, "The 500th report once again demonstrates the strength of K-quarantine. While many countries are experiencing a surge in COVID cases and are strengthening lockdowns and emergency measures, we are drawing a miraculous graph in the opposite direction. This is a proud strength of our people," and added, "Citizens, although it is difficult, please gather a little more strength and maintain the current formation. Spring is just around the corner."

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