Health authorities say South Korea will need to have at least 80 percent of its adult population fully vaccinated before it transitions into the so-called "With Corona" response system. 

"With Corona" refers to a system in which the management focus is less on the suppression of new COVID-19 cases and more on preventing severe cases and deaths.  

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong made the remark during a question-and-answer session with the public on Thursday, adding that a vaccination rate of 90 percent among the elderly will also need to be achieved before the new system is tried. 

Noting the government is seeking to minimize any adverse effects of adopting the “With Corona” system, she said efforts will be exerted to raise the vaccination rate as much as possible by the end of October and also further systematize the country's pandemic response management. 

The KDCA chief declined to comment in detail on when the shift will be made, stressing several variables to take into account, including the risks posed by new variants and preparations by the country’s medical system and healthcare experts. 

The transition, Jeong also cautioned, would not lead to an immediate easing of social distancing and quarantine rules.