President Moon Jae-in has vowed to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the entire public, free of charge.

Moon made the pledge during a New Year’s speech delivered at the top office on Monday, saying he expects vaccinations to begin next month, giving priority to medical personnel and seniors.  

The president said deliberations are under way for COVID-19 treatments developed by local companies, stressing that the entire deliberation process will be fully disclosed.    

Moon stressed that 2021 will be a year of recovery, inclusiveness and new leaps for the Korean people, saying that the end of a dark tunnel finally appears to be close.  

On economic recovery, Moon said South Korea is projected to have posted the highest economic growth rate among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development last year. He also noted that the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index broke the three-thousand point threshold for the first time.  

He said he believes the nation’s economy will recover to pre-COVID-19 levels in the first half of the year.