"The Hidden Meaning Behind Jung Eun-kyung's Remark 'Hope the President's Vaccination Order Comes Late'"

Cheong "If the public gets vaccinated with confidence, there is no need for the president to set an example, so the question of being delayed in order"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "(President Moon Jae-in's COVID-19 vaccination) order should come a little later..." This was the message conveyed by Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, to President Moon at the Mapo Public Health Center in Seoul on the 26th. When President Moon asked, "When will the opportunity to get the (COVID-19 vaccine) be given to the president?" Director Jung responded this way. President Moon smiled as he spoke, and Director Jung also smiled as she replied.

If you take Director Jung's words literally, various interpretations are possible. It could be interpreted as referring to concerns about vaccine side effects. However, the true meaning behind Director Jung's remarks, as conveyed by the Blue House, was different.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A senior Blue House official told reporters that day, "President Moon meant that if he could set an example by getting vaccinated first, he would do so," adding, "Leading by example means the president rolls up his sleeves first because the public is anxious."

The senior Blue House official explained, "The reason Director Jung said the order should come later is because she hopes a situation where the public is anxious does not arise."

The senior Blue House official said, "It was a Q&A implying that if a situation comes where the public can get vaccinated with peace of mind, there would be no need for the president to lead by example, so the order would not be delayed," adding, "The president even asked about the timing of vaccination, so the vaccination schedule has not yet been decided. It seems that the vaccination will take place at an appropriate time according to the system while monitoring the situation."