Kim Jong-in "Virus Fear Can Come Again... Let's Establish a National Infectious Disease Defense System"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-in, the General Election Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, announced plans to establish a "National Infectious Disease Defense System," which includes making the "National Health Department" an independent ministry and fostering the bio industry.

On the 5th, at a health safety briefing held in Cheongju, Chungbuk, Chairman Kim said regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), "It is uncertain whether the virus labeled number 19 will be eradicated or become endemic, but it will eventually end. However, it is certain that another infectious disease will come soon." The number 19 in COVID-19 refers to the year 2019 when the virus was first identified, expressing concerns about the possibility of additional viruses emerging.

He stated, "An endless war against continuously emerging infectious diseases has begun. We must establish a national infectious disease defense system to protect the country and its people from viruses that will produce variant after variant," emphasizing, "This is as important and urgent as the ROK-US alliance, nuclear umbrella, and missile defense system that protect our country from North Korean nuclear threats."

Chairman Kim said, "A week ago, I advised the government to quickly convert unused budget items from the COVID-19 emergency economic measures to create 100 trillion won, but there has been no response whether they will do it or not," adding, "I will no longer offer advice. We will achieve a landslide victory in this election and resolve this through legislation as a 'responsible opposition party' in the National Assembly."

Chairman Kim argued that "first, the 'National Health Department,' a security agency responsible for public health and hygiene safety, must be established as an independent ministry." He said that this National Health Department should be granted full authority to allocate national quarantine and medical resources without interference from anyone and entrust responsibility to the world's top epidemiology experts. Chairman Kim emphasized, "Taiwan's COVID-19 response became a true model case because the top epidemiology expert was in charge of the Health Department."

He also proposed operating a "National Quarantine Committee" at the government-wide level to enable rapid mobilization and distribution of related resources in emergencies. It is planned to mandate stockpiling of medical supplies essential for protecting citizens' lives, such as intravenous fluids, blood products, and life-support devices for critically ill patients, in quantities sufficient for at least two weeks by region nationwide.

To develop virus vaccines, he suggested a plan to massively support various medical device industries and medical service industries at the Osong Bio Complex as a national industrial strategy. The government also plans to pay the unpaid funds to the National Health Insurance Corporation so that health insurance can support the national infectious disease defense system.

Chairman Kim said, "We have lived within the range of North Korea's long-range artillery and are accustomed to fear. Such wars can be prevented by strong alliances and deterrence," adding, "However, the fear of infectious diseases that will continue to come is different in nature. Without national-level preparedness, it could lead to a disaster that collapses the entire country."

He continued, "The United Future Party will create the national infectious disease defense system by securing a majority in the National Assembly and through legislation, government reorganization, and medical insurance system reform," adding, "As the General Election Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, I will complete the core of all these tasks within one month of the opening of the 21st National Assembly in June and show the results."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.