Jeong Eun-gyeong calls Jeong Cheong-rae's remark "Is the president a test subject?" an "inappropriate expression"

On the afternoon of the 21st, Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, spoke at the 2nd meeting of the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Joint Committee held at the Korea Health Promotion Institute in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Soyoung] As political disputes arise over President Moon Jae-in's status as the first recipient of the COVID-19 vaccine, Rep. Jeong Cheong-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea questioned, "Is the president a test subject?" In response, Jeong Eun-kyung, head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), pointed out that this remark is "inappropriate."

On the 22nd, during a regular briefing on COVID-19, Director Jeong stated, "The vaccinations currently being administered are for vaccines that have already undergone clinical trials and have been authorized after confirming their safety and efficacy," adding, "All citizens receiving the vaccine, regardless of who they are, are not test subjects. I believe such expressions are inappropriate."

Director Jeong's remarks are interpreted as a response to public concerns mixed with anxiety about the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Earlier on the 22nd, regarding Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, expressing willingness to be the first to receive the vaccine, Director Jeong explained, "Vaccinations are being managed with priority order to ensure fairness and transparency, and currently, vaccinations will proceed fairly according to that order."

She continued, "However, since there is significant public anxiety and many concerns about vaccination, if it is deemed necessary for prominent figures in society or representatives from the health and medical sectors to receive the vaccine to help alleviate public fears, such vaccinations can be carried out at any time," adding, "Medical professional organizations have also expressed their willingness to receive such vaccinations at any time."

Meanwhile, as the first vaccinations are scheduled for the 26th, political disputes over the 'first recipient' are intensifying. Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min argued in a post on his Facebook on the 19th, "AstraZeneca should be administered to the president first to eliminate distrust."

In response, Rep. Jeong Cheong-rae of the Democratic Party reacted on his Facebook, stating, "Is the head of state a test subject? This is a mockery and insult to the head of state," and added, "The health and schedule of the head of state are state secrets and security matters."