President Moon: "Vaccine Administration System Changed to Local Government Autonomous Selection Method"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in announced that the vaccination system will be changed to grant local governments autonomy in order to accelerate the vaccination process.

According to a key Blue House official, on the 21st, President Moon had lunch at the Blue House with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon, stating, "Currently, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) selects the list and notifies local governments, which slows down the vaccination speed. From now on, local governments will have autonomy to select the list, and the quarantine authorities will supply the vaccine doses accordingly."

President Moon also requested the cooperation of the two mayors, saying, "The problem is not vaccine supply instability, but rather our inability to vaccinate the vaccines we have quickly." He emphasized, "In the beginning, the KDCA approached cautiously considering side effects, but now we will proceed with vaccinations more swiftly." In this regard, Mayor Park said, "It is difficult for local governments to easily ease quarantine measures, so it would be good to give local governments some autonomy in quarantine." He also asked, "Having visited the field, there are some inconvenient and impractical parts, so please allow some leeway."

Regarding Ki Mo-ran, the Director of Quarantine Planning, who is under controversy for being a 'favoritism appointment' or 'code appointment,' President Moon cited examples such as Yoo Myung-hee, Director-General for Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Justice Min Yoo-sook of the Supreme Court, and Prime Minister nominee Kim Boo-kyum, stating that "there is absolutely no problem." Although the spouses and relatives of those mentioned earlier have strained relationships with President Moon, their appointments were made, indicating that Director Ki's appointment is far from being a code or favoritism appointment.

Yoo Young-min, Chief of Staff, who was present at the meeting, also reportedly said, "Even now, when people come to the Blue House, it seems as if they hold great power as if they are in office," and expressed regret, saying, "Director Ki was persuaded to come, so it is unfortunate that it is perceived that way."

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