Blue House "Korea-Sweden Summit Diplomacy, Domestic Companies Join Global COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain"

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[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] The Blue House emphasized the significance of domestic companies joining the supply chain for the 'COVID-19' vaccine materials based on the summit diplomacy between Korea and Sweden.

Yoon Jae-kwan, deputy spokesperson of the Blue House, stated in a briefing on the 22nd, "Yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, and SK Bioscience signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding for cooperation on COVID-19 vaccine production supply and securing domestic quantities," adding, "The foundation for establishing this cooperative system was the solid cooperative relationship built through summit diplomacy between Korea and Sweden."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Deputy Spokesperson Yoon explained, "In May last year, President Moon Jae-in selected the bio-health industry, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices, as one of Korea's three major focus industries, and the government established and announced an innovation strategy for the bio-health industry," adding, "The development of Korea-Sweden cooperative relations led to the signing of an MOU in the health and welfare sector immediately after the Swedish Prime Minister's visit to Korea in December last year."

Deputy Spokesperson Yoon said, "Amid the recent COVID-19 situation, the two heads of state held a phone call on March 20 to discuss cooperation measures for COVID-19 response, and following a request from the Swedish government, jointly participated in a declaration emphasizing the need for transparent and fair distribution during the vaccine development and supply process," adding, "Based on this cooperative relationship, the Ministry of Health and Welfare acted as a bridge for domestic vaccine production companies through close contact with Korea AstraZeneca."

Deputy Spokesperson Yoon evaluated, "Currently, domestic companies are contract manufacturing vaccine candidate materials developed by AstraZeneca and the Oxford research institute, gaining international recognition for their production capabilities," adding, "With the vaccine entering phase 3 clinical trials and showing high chances of success, it is attracting global attention, and this is the first case of a domestic company joining the world's leading global supply chain."

Deputy Spokesperson Yoon emphasized, "In particular, some of the vaccine quantities produced domestically will be supplied within the country, which holds great significance in securing domestic vaccine supply amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19."

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