"Why Aren't You Wearing a Mask?", "Repeating the Same Words"... Jeong Eun-kyeong Faces Flood of Criticism in Live Broadcast Chat

KDCA, Online Briefing on Pediatric and Adolescent Vaccinations

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is explaining the recommendations and guidance for the third dose (booster) of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk, on the afternoon of the 2nd. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), organized a special briefing with experts to explain the necessity of COVID-19 vaccination for children and adolescents. However, the live broadcast comment section was flooded with criticism opposing mandatory vaccination.

On the 9th, Commissioner Jung held a Q&A session regarding COVID-19 vaccines with Professor Lee Jae-gap from Hallym University College of Medicine, Professor Jung Jae-hoon from Gachon University College of Medicine, and KDCA spokesperson Ko Jae-young at the KDCA briefing room.

Commissioner Jung cited statistics such as the continuous increase in COVID-19 cases among children and adolescents and the fact that the incidence rate among the unvaccinated 12-17 age group is 25.3 times higher than that of the fully vaccinated group to persuade the public to get vaccinated.

However, netizens pointed out that Commissioner Jung and Professors Lee and Jung were not wearing masks. The real-time chat was filled with criticisms like "Why aren’t you wearing masks?" In response, Commissioner Jung and the professors put on masks and continued the briefing. Spokesperson Ko remained without a mask until the end of the briefing.

Additionally, students and parents expressed dissatisfaction with the two professors who participated as private experts. They noted that Professors Lee Jae-gap and Jung Jae-hoon frequently appear as experts in health authority briefings and have consistently voiced support for the government. Netizens reacted with comments such as "Are these the only two experts in Korea?", "We want to hear opposing expert opinions," and "Is this AI? They just repeat the same things."

Meanwhile, during an online forum titled "Youth COVID-19 Vaccination! Ask Anything" held by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye on the 8th, the live comment section was also filled with criticism.

Comments in the real-time chat included complaints such as "Is this a country or a communist party?", "You get vaccinated yourself," "Even the forum is coercion, not communication," and "Why are academies and study rooms subject to vaccine passes while department stores and religious facilities are excluded?" Professor Jung Jae-hoon, who also participated as a private expert alongside Commissioner Jung on that day, appeared as a panelist at the event.

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