Citizens and office workers walk on a sidewalk in central Seoul on Feb. 27, 2023. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 30 (Korea Bizwire) — Most South Koreans expect another new infectious disease to prevail within the next 10 years, a survey showed Wednesday.
A research team led by Prof. Yoo Myung-soon of Seoul National University’s graduate school of public health conducted a survey of 1,000 adults across the country.
In response to the question asking, “Do you think the COVID-19 pandemic will go on forever?” 72 percent of the respondents replied affirmatively.
As for the government’s COVID-19 response capability, 52 percent said that it was well exercised in the areas of information provision and communication, while 50.9 percent said it was well implemented in the area of public health, including diagnosis testing, tracking and quarantine.
However, 36 percent said that the government fell behind in the areas of sociopolitical capability needed to prevent the pandemic from becoming political, followed by 35.9 percent who pointed the lack of R&D capability in the development of vaccines and medication, and 33 percent who pointed to a lack of psychological coping mechanisms needed to protect people from a sense of uneasiness and fear.
In the meantime, 79.8 percent of the respondents agreed that vaccination was the most effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, 71 percent said that vaccination should not be compulsory, regardless of the circumstances, indicating that they also think personal autonomy is important.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
