Prime Minister Kim: "Conditions for Gradual Return to Normal Life Established... Final Plan to be Announced on the 29th"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 response at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 26th. 2021.10.26 Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 26th, "Last week, we successfully achieved the goal of '70% nationwide (COVID-19 vaccine) vaccination,' and the number of new daily confirmed cases has dropped to the early level of the 4th wave," adding, "Conditions have been set to begin a phased return to normal life starting next week."

On the same day, Prime Minister Kim chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting at the Government Complex Sejong and said, "The government's final position will be announced this Friday (29th)." However, he emphasized, "We all know well that the moment changes begin is the most dangerous time," and "Even as the journey back to normal life begins, vigilance regarding quarantine measures must actually increase."

He continued, "There are many voices expressing concern that some young people, excited by premature expectations during this weekend's 'Halloween Day,' might violate quarantine rules," and urged, "In a situation where vaccination rates among foreign residents and young people in the country are still insufficient, there must be no new chains of group infections emerging throughout local communities."

Prime Minister Kim said, "Thanks to the active cooperation and participation of the people, we were able to achieve the goal of '70% nationwide vaccination completion' faster than any other country," and added, "The government will implement the scope of daily recovery gradually and step-by-step, focusing on those who have completed vaccination." Regarding the so-called 'vaccine pass,' the 'vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system,' he added, "We will prepare to implement it starting next month."

Nevertheless, he stated, "The government clearly recognizes that this system should not discriminate against the unvaccinated or disadvantage those who cannot receive the vaccine for health reasons," and promised, "We will listen to various opinions sufficiently and design and operate the system in a balanced way that promotes the recovery of daily life for the entire community."