'Unvaccinated' Professor Cheon Eun-mi: "I Was Unaware of Government Poster... Regretful"

Citizen Group Files Complaint Against Professor Cheon

Professor Cheon Eun-mi, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, featured in the government's vaccine promotional material.
/Photo by Republic of Korea Government Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Professor Chun Eun-mi, a pulmonologist at Ewha Mokdong Hospital who encouraged COVID-19 vaccination on broadcast, apologized for the controversy over not completing vaccination (only the first dose) by saying, "As a medical professional, I deeply regret not having completed the vaccination."

Professor Chun appeared on YTN News on the 5th and said, "I have an allergy to antibiotics and suffered long-term side effects after receiving the vaccine during the H1N1 flu outbreak 10 years ago. After much consideration, as a respiratory doctor, I got the shot, but I experienced the side effects that many others have."

She continued, "In the situation where I did not complete the vaccination, whatever the circumstances, many people would be puzzled and criticized me because I appeared on vaccine promotion posters," and defended herself by saying, "I have never taken part in filming the promotional video or poster."

She added, "I discovered that photo yesterday without my knowledge. I was very embarrassed, and many people might think it is contradictory that I promoted the vaccine while not having been vaccinated myself," and said, "As a medical professional, I apologize once again for not being vaccinated, but I feel embarrassed and regretful about the vaccine promotion poster."

Professor Chun emphasized, "Those who cannot or have not completed vaccination are not allowed to enter high-risk facilities because they could get infected. They do not go to movie theaters and live only minimal daily lives, so consideration for these people is necessary."

Regarding the vaccine pass, she said, "A re-discussion is definitely needed," and added, "The vaccine pass should be applied based on criteria for high-risk facilities where masks are removed, increasing infection risk, or places that are enclosed and poorly ventilated."

Furthermore, she said, "Many people suffer side effects after the first dose. (Unless diagnosed with anaphylaxis history, myocarditis, or rare thrombosis) it is difficult to get an exemption," and added, "If the government broadly recognizes medical staff’s opinions or medical certificates and reviews domestic side effect cases not included in clinical phase 3 trials to promptly approve exemption diagnoses, it would be helpful."

Vaccination. /Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the 6th, the Free Korea Patriotic Corps and the Future Opening Young Lawyers Association filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Professor Chun for assault and professional negligence resulting in injury or death.

They claimed, "Professor Chun herself experienced vaccine side effects and, knowing the risks, encouraged vaccination, thereby assisting the public in getting vaccinated without awareness of the dangers and suffering side effects."

They added, "There are suspicions that Professor Chun, as a medical professional, failed to properly explain the risks of the vaccine," and said, "We cannot but hold Professor Chun strictly accountable for neglecting her duties and ethics as a medical professional and disregarding public life."

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