(Photo: Yonhap News)
[Anchor]
President Moon Jae-in has expressed confidence that South Korea will achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 by the end of the year, much faster than other countries.
He addressed the pandemic and other national issues Monday in a socially-distanced, semi-virtual New Year's press conference.
Our Ron Chang has more.
[Reporter]
President Moon told reporters that coronavirus vaccines will be rolled out in South Korea starting in late February to early March.
He said his government has already secured enough doses and will be able to achieve herd immunity by November at the latest.
The president reaffirmed that shots will be offered free of charge to all South Koreans, and even pledged "adequate compensation" for possible side effects, but did not explain what that would entail.
Moon spent a large chunk of time answering questions about North Korea and foreign policy.
He said he is willing to meet again with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and expressed hope that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and his team will be able to work out differences with the North, adding that South Korea will do its best to support as mediator.
Moon said he intends to seek early summit talks with Biden to ensure the allies stay on the same page on all bilateral issues.
He also highlighted the importance of Seoul-Beijing relations and pledged to push for forward-looking ties with Japan, despite deep tensions, saying the two sides should deal with export curbs, wartime forced labor damages and compensation regarding the so-called comfort women issue separately.
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