President Moon Jae-in has again vowed to contain COVID-19 through quarantine and vaccination.

In a social media post Saturday, Moon said that over half of the South Korean population have been vaccinated at least once, while second jabs are also picking up speed, noting the progress is faster than expected.

Moon said that at this pace, 70 percent of the population will have received the first vaccine dose before the Chuseok holiday, while full vaccinations may also reach 50 percent by the end of September.

He asked for the public's cooperation saying a return to normalcy can come that much quicker. 

The president said it's regrettable the spread is not being easily curbed but added that Korea maintains one of the lowest levels in new infections and fatalities globally.

Moon said times are difficult, but the country must all the more focus on quarantine and vaccination and promised efforts to strike harmony between antivirus measures, daily life and economic activities.