[Anchor]

President Moon Jae-in has expressed confidence that South Korea's COVID-19 vaccination campaign will "complete herd immunity" by the end of this year.

He addressed the pandemic and other national issues Monday in a socially-distanced, semi-virtual New Year's press conference.

Ron Chang reports.

[Reporter]

President Moon told reporters that vaccinations will begin in late February to early March, but indicated they could start earlier.

But while he talked about the pandemic, he dismissed a question about whether he regrets not bringing COVID-19 vaccines into the country sooner.

He said South Korea has already secured enough doses and will be able to achieve herd immunity by November at the latest, much faster than any other country.

[Clip: Moon (translated from Korean to English)]
"In terms of the start date for vaccinations and achieving herd immunity, South Korea will not fall behind other countries and could be much faster."

On foreign policy, he stressed the importance of Seoul-Beijing relations, and said he hopes Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Seoul soon, and then underscored the special alliance with Washington, vowing to develop a comprehensive relationship with the U.S. moving forward.

Moon was also asked about special pardons for convicted former leaders Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, who are both serving time for corruption.

The issue was first brought up by ruling Democratic Party chairman Lee Nak-yon earlier this month.

Moon explained that right now it's difficult for him as well as the public to accept calls to pardon the two former presidents as they continue to deny any wrongdoing.

Please send comments to tbsefmnews@gmail.com
copyright © tbs. Unauthorized redistribution prohibited.