"Before Chuseok, 70% of the entire population will complete the first dose... We will definitely curb the spread"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in commented on surpassing a 50% first-dose COVID-19 vaccination rate, stating, "If this trend continues, 70% of the entire population will complete their first dose before Chuseok."

On the 21st, President Moon said via social networking service (SNS), "More than 50% of the people have completed their first COVID-19 vaccination."

Earlier, the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced that the nationwide first-dose COVID-19 vaccination rate reached 50% as of that morning.

President Moon added, "The speed of the second dose vaccinations is also increasing. Progress is faster than expected," and forecasted, "If this trend continues, 70% of the population will complete their first dose before Chuseok, and the second dose could approach 50% by the end of September."

He emphasized, "If the people actively participate and cooperate in reservations and vaccinations, the time for returning to normal life will be brought forward accordingly," and added, "Everyone is tired and suffering, but by linking quarantine efforts with increasing vaccination rates, we will definitely curb the spread."

He also mentioned that South Korea is performing well amid the global spread of COVID-19. President Moon stated, "Despite increasing vaccination rates worldwide, the spread has been rising for nine consecutive weeks," and noted, "Countries with high vaccination rates are no exception."

He continued, "It is very regrettable that the spread of COVID-19 in our country is not easily subsiding," but added, "However, by maintaining the ‘quick testing and quick treatment’ K-quarantine system, we are keeping the number of new cases and fatality rates at the lowest levels among major countries."

President Moon concluded, "These are difficult times, so we must unite our efforts for quarantine and vaccination even more," and stated, "The government will devote all its efforts to rapidly increasing vaccination rates while harmonizing quarantine, daily life, livelihood, and the economy."

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