President Moon: "Jeong Eun-kyung Everywhere in the World Inspires All Humanity" (Comprehensive)

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of KDCA, Named One of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the Year... Director Bong Joon-ho Also Selected Among the 100

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "I believe that the sincerity of Jeong Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is a story of value that will remain with us, inspiring countless 'Jeong Eun-kyungs' fighting COVID-19 around the world and all humanity that has ushered in the 'post-COVID era'."

President Moon Jae-in wrote this introduction in Time magazine regarding Jeong Eun-kyung's selection as one of the 100 most influential people in the world this year. President Moon highly praised Commissioner Jeong's sincerity, citing the character Dr. Rieux from Albert Camus' novel The Plague, who said, "The only way to fight the plague is with sincerity."

Earlier, the Blue House announced on the morning of the 23rd that Commissioner Jeong had been selected as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine this year. A Blue House official stated on the 23rd, "It has been confirmed internationally that Korea's K-quarantine is a global model."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Blue House official explained, "At the end of July, Time magazine informed the Office of Overseas Press Secretary that Commissioner Jeong was included in the 100. This is related to her outstanding achievements in responding to the pandemic. Time requested an introduction from President Moon, who gladly accepted the request."

President Moon explained, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea's quarantine became a global model. Commissioner Jeong led K-quarantine to success by communicating sincerely with the public on the front lines of quarantine, based on the principles of 'openness,' 'transparency,' and 'democracy.'"

President Moon evaluated, "When Korea's first COVID-19 case was confirmed, she stood before the public representing the government. She transparently announced the status of confirmed cases, infection routes, diagnosis, quarantine, and treatment every day without fail. The public became the main agents of quarantine themselves, voluntarily wearing masks, washing hands, and practicing social distancing to protect their own and their neighbors' safety, demonstrating the power of solidarity and cooperation."

President Moon said, "As a doctor of preventive medicine and the first female head, Commissioner Jeong led the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency as a 'prepared organization.' Six months before the outbreak, she prepared a manual called 'Response Procedures for Unknown Cluster Infections' and trained a sophisticated 'disaster response algorithm.'"

Director Bong Joon-ho is answering questions from the press at the official press conference for the film Parasite held on the 19th at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Meanwhile, among the 100 most influential people in the world selected by Time magazine this year, Commissioner Jeong was chosen in the Leaders category, and Director Bong Joon-ho was included in the Artists category. The Blue House initially announced that Commissioner Jeong was the only Korean selected among Time's 100 most influential people but later added that Director Bong was also included.

The Blue House stated, "Since Time does not disclose the list of 100 in advance, there is no way for the Blue House to verify it beforehand. We learned that Director Bong was included in the Artists category after seeing the article. Being selected in Time's 100 is very joyful news, and we extend our congratulations."

Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world has been announced annually since 2004, and this year marks the 17th edition. A special program introducing each of the 100 selected individuals one by one will be broadcast this year.

President Moon was also selected as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018.