Amid the accelerated COVID-19 vaccination program, President Moon Jae-in expected 70 percent of the population to complete vaccinations earlier than the previously targeted late October.

At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Moon attributed the acceleration to the general public's active participation, the government's push to expand the vaccine supply and medical professionals' hard work.

The president said through extended vaccine eligibility, the country will step closer to having 80 percent of the population and 90 percent of adults fully vaccinated.

He emphasized that the country is set to become one of the safest places in the world against COVID-19, having some of the lowest infection and fatality rates in the OECD and a rapidly rising vaccination rate.

Ahead of the Chuseok holiday next week, Moon called for continued vigilance and urged those visiting their hometowns to get voluntarily tested.