Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Eun-hye "Actively Seeking Improvement Measures"
"Earnestly Requesting Participation in Vaccination"
Yoo Eun-hye, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education (center), is speaking at an online forum titled "Ask Anything About COVID-19 Vaccination for Youth" held on the 8th at Yanghwa Middle School in Seoul, with students, parents, and experts. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Strong backlash erupted at an 'online forum' on youth vaccination hosted by the government. Although the forum was organized to receive questions from students and parents and explain safety, some citizens appear to remain skeptical.
On the 8th, the Ministry of Education held an online forum titled "Youth COVID-19 Vaccination! Ask Anything." The broadcast, conducted on the Ministry of Education TV YouTube channel, featured Yoo Eun-hye, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, appearing in person.
However, shortly after the broadcast began, the comment section was filled with remarks from citizens expressing doubts about the government. Citizens poured out suspicions such as, "Don't force us without taking responsibility for side effects," and "On what basis do you claim it is safe when the long-term effects have not been clarified?"
Criticism continued in the chatroom as well. Netizens harshly criticized with comments like, "(Vaccine) You get it yourself," "We did everything you told us to do," and "The mistake was hyping 'With Corona' from the start. Did you bring back full in-person classes for this?"
Chats from parents during the online forum held on the 8th on YouTube. / Photo by Ministry of Education TV YouTube video capture
Earlier, the government announced plans to expand the quarantine pass (vaccination certificate/negative test confirmation system) to include youths. As a result, from February next year, the quarantine pass will apply to 12-18-year-old youths using restaurants, cafes, academies, libraries, and study rooms. Youths will need to present a vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to use academies, libraries, study cafes, and similar facilities.
However, some parents strongly opposed this. They argued that applying the quarantine pass to learning spaces such as academies, study rooms, and libraries effectively infringes on the right to learn.
On the 8th, the Parents' Coalition to Save Seoul Education and others held a press conference in front of the National Human Rights Commission building in Jung-gu, Seoul, urging a complete reconsideration of the policy, stating, "The youth quarantine pass infringes on the right to learn and the freedom to choose vaccination and constitutes discrimination based on vaccination status."
Amid this situation, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo emphasized at the online forum that they would seek improvement measures regarding the timing, scope, and detailed application methods of the youth quarantine pass.
Yoo stated, "Regarding the application of the quarantine pass, we will actively seek improvement measures so that this system can be applied with higher acceptance on the ground by reflecting concerns without undermining social consensus or principles," and added, "We will also actively promote consultations with related ministries."
He further emphasized, "What I earnestly ask is for active participation in vaccination for children and adolescents," and reiterated, "I urge everyone to join vaccination to protect themselves, their families, and the entire community."
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