South Korea premier sees 70% first-shot vaccination by end September

Kim Boo-kyum, South Korea's prime minister, speaks during an interview in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 17, 2021. - Bloomberg

SEOUL (Bloomberg): South Korea wants to have 70% of its population vaccinated with at least a first shot by the end of September, the premier said, speeding up one of the lowest inoculation rates among major Asian economies as cases surge to record highs.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, at the forefront of the government’s pandemic policy, said Tuesday (Aug 17) that South Korea would keep funneling aid to small businesses hurt by strict social distancing measures aimed at stemming a record Covid-19 wave powered by the delta variant. Kim indicated Seoul would do all it can to avoid a lockdown.