Prime Minister Jeong: "President Moon's 'Vaccine Injection Swap'? False Claim... Strict Measures"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is presiding over a video conference of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on March 31, 2021. Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun expressed concern on the 31st, stating, "Last week, a truly absurd suspicion arose that President Moon Jae-in switched syringes during his vaccination process, causing controversy." He added, "Although the facts have been clearly revealed through footage and testimonies from related personnel, there are still quite a few posts containing false claims circulating online." He then instructed, "I urge the investigative authorities to thoroughly investigate criminal acts that divide public opinion and foster public distrust through false and manipulated information, and to take strict legal action accordingly."

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting at the Government Complex Seoul and said, "I reiterate that vaccines belong to the realm of science, not politics," urging, "Do not be swayed by baseless speculation and controversy, and unite in the fight against COVID-19." He strongly warned, "Verbal abuse and threats against the nurse involved are acts that cruelly trample on the hearts of medical staff who are devoted day and night to protecting the lives and safety of the people."

Meanwhile, a month has passed since in-person classes resumed at frontline educational sites, and no large-scale group infection cases have occurred in schools. Prime Minister Chung stated, "Thanks to the strict adherence to quarantine guidelines within schools, most parents feel reassured sending their children to school," but cautioned, "There is a steady emergence of confirmed student cases infected outside of school, so we cannot be complacent."

He added, "According to epidemiological investigations, student infection cases mostly originate from transmission within families," and urged, "Please thoroughly practice quarantine rules at home as well."

Furthermore, regarding the start of vaccinations next week focusing on special schools and health teachers, he added, "Considering the vaccine supply volume for the first half of the year, we will also expedite vaccinations for first and second graders in elementary school, kindergarten teachers, and third-year high school students as much as possible."

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