South Korea Starts to Apply the “Vaccine Pass”
South Korea Starts to Apply the “Vaccine Pass”
  • Reporter Yim O-Jung
  • 승인 2021.11.13 23:41
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▲Certificate of Immunization / KBS
▲Certificate of Immunization / KBS

 

As Korea’s vaccination program progressed smoothly, the government began preparing for a phased recovery in daily life. On Oct. 29, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), headed by Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom, was convened with central ministries, 17 municipalities, and 18 city/province police agencies to discuss the “Roadmap for the Gradual Return to Normal”, the COVID-19 situations of major municipalities, and measures to be taken. In a televised press briefing, the Minister of Health and Welfare and the Commissioner of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced the Roadmap for the Gradual Return to Normal.
The most notable announcement was the introduction of a vaccine pass. In a briefing on Oct. 27, the CDSCH revealed the need for this system, saying “The implementation of this system is absolutely necessary because we intend to control the minimum risk through the vaccine pass in the step-by-step recovery process.” Consequently, a specific action plan was announced on Oct. 29. According to a press release announced on the same day, the government will temporarily introduce a system that allows only those who have completed the vaccination or are subject to certain exceptions to use multi-purpose facilities. In principle, the use of facilities by non-vaccinated people is restricted, but people with a PCR negative test result, adolescents under the age of 18, and those who are exempt from vaccination due to medical reasons are exempt.
However, it has been pointed out that introducing a vaccine pass without a clear verification of the safety of the vaccine is actually a measure that forces vaccination. In addition, it has been argued that a vaccine pass is not an incentive for vaccinated people, but discrimination against unvaccinated people. Accordingly, the government plans to operate a guidance period to prevent confusion caused by the vaccine pass.
Meanwhile, conflicts between the government and citizens frequently occur in countries that had implemented similar systems. In particular, France is implementing a policy to have a certificate called a health pass whenever its citizens use multiple facilities. It has been more than two months since the policy was implemented based on the judgement of the Conseil Constitutionnel, but many French citizens are still protesting that the mandatory vaccination violates their human rights.