'Get Vaccinated First, Moon' to Yoo Seung-min... Jeong Cheong-rae: "Is the President a Test Subject? Stop Talking Nonsense"

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min suggested that the president should take the lead and get vaccinated to alleviate concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, while Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized this. Photo by Jeong Cheong-rae

[Asia Economy Reporter Nana] Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min suggested that the president should take the COVID-19 vaccine first to alleviate public anxiety about the vaccine. In response, Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized this as a "reckless remark," asking, "Is the head of state a test subject?"

On the 21st, Jeong posted on his Facebook, "Former lawmaker Yoo made a reckless remark telling President Moon Jae-in to get the vaccine injection first," adding, "If the president gets vaccinated first, will people claim special treatment, ignoring the public, and if any accident occurs after vaccination, will they file lawsuits?"

He said, "Is the head of state a test subject for the COVID-19 vaccine?" and called it "mockery and insult to the head of state." He continued, "The health and schedule of the head of state are state secrets and security matters," and told Yoo, "Stop whining with nonsense worse than elementary school kids."

Regarding Yoo's criticism of President Moon's consideration of COVID-19 relief payments, Jeong said, "Become a decent human being first," and added, "Insulting the president is an insult to the people who elected him. The People Power Party should stop making reckless remarks such as calling President Moon's relief policy 'vote-buying' or demanding he 'use his own money.'

He concluded, "The pain of today is hard and overwhelming for the people," and said, "The people need comfort and emergency measures. (The People Power Party) should stop making foolish and malicious remarks."