South Koreans face off over vaccine pass

Frank Smith
Press TV, Seoul

South Korea this week suffered its strongest surge of Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 7,000 daily cases.

On Monday, the government implemented a vaccine pass, requiring people to prove they have been vaccinated or recently tested negative for Covid-19, in order to access many businesses and public venues.

Various studies have shown conclusively that getting vaccinated reduces the chance of infection, serious illness, or death from Covid-19.

In South Korea, 85 percent or more of the adult population has been vaccinated. But only about 30 percent of teenagers here have had their shots.

The vaccine pass will apply to teens beginning February 1. A petition against the pass submitted to the South Korean Presidential website has garnered more than 300,000 signatures.

The WHO emphasizes that public health is best protected by vaccinations, and that getting vaccinated involves less personal risk than not getting vaccinated for all age groups.

Meanwhile, anti-vaccine pass advocates plan to file an appeal with South Korea’s constitutional court over what they see as the government’s abuse of power.

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