President Moon Jae-in's Luncheon with Quarantine Officials: "Heroes Who Protected the Republic of Korea"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 28th, President Moon Jae-in hosted a luncheon at the Blue House State Guest House, inviting medical staff and public officials who worked on the COVID-19 prevention frontlines to commend their efforts.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The luncheon was attended by personnel involved in quarantine, diagnostic testing, patient transport and treatment, vaccine administration, production and development, as well as manufacturers of masks, diagnostic kits, and syringes. Also present were Jeon Hae-cheol, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ryu Geun-hyuk, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Kim Gang-rip, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Attendees shared vivid frontline experiences, including a graduate of the Korea Nurse Academy who was dispatched to Daegu during the early COVID-19 outbreak, the captain of the Hansando ship who conducted vaccinations in island regions, the plant manager of SK Bioscience’s Andong factory responsible for domestic vaccine contract manufacturing and in-house vaccine development, and paramedics from the Incheon Western Fire Station who assisted in the delivery of a confirmed COVID-19 positive mother in an ambulance.

In his remarks, President Moon said, “The past two years have been a busy time working amid the COVID-19 crisis, and the sweat shed on the frontlines will remain in the memories of the people.” He emphasized, “Thanks to the frontline workers who did their best even in places without the spotlight, we were able to minimize confirmed cases and deaths. They are the true heroes who protected the Republic of Korea.”

He continued, “As we prepare to welcome the upcoming normal life, I ask all attendees to continue doing their best in their respective positions as they have so far.”