A South Korean doctor is receiving backlash after implying that people who have not contracted COVID-19 have no friends. Ma Sang-hyuk, vice-president of the Korean Vaccine Society, made the remarks on a Facebook post that was extensively disseminated, attracting online criticism. The post was eventually removed by the doctor.

South Korea has seen a return of coronavirus infection, with daily counts shattering records in recent weeks. The omicron variety, which was discovered in South Africa late last year, is driving the outbreak.

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“The adults who have not yet been infected with Covid-19 are those who have interpersonal problems,” the doctor claimed in a  Facebook post, according to The Independent.

It was published on March 16, the same day that South Korea registered 400,741 new COVID cases.

The post was quickly picked up by social media users, who began criticising the doctor for his statements.

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“I have no great interest in socialising. Even less now. It doesn’t necessarily mean it is an interpersonal problem. It’s just a preference to do your own thing,” according to Metro, a Facebook user called Belinda stated.

Another user, Sharon, called out the doctor, adding, “Jealousy looks bad on you.”

After a few days, Ma Sang-hyuk removed the post. He also stated in an interview with the Korean news website Daily that the comment was just figurative and had been misconstrued.

“It emphasised how difficult it is for anyone to avoid the virus in a situation where there is a high rate of confirmed cases in the area,” the doctor explained.

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The Omicron variant has been at the forefront of the increase of COVID-19 cases in South Korea, which has also been devastating in the UK and other areas of the world.

Despite a large number of illnesses, the South Korean government is relaxing lockdown regulations, as popular opinion favours the elimination of all social distancing requirements.

Almost 87% of the country’s 52 million citizens are completely immunised against COVID-19.