Democratic Party: "Vaccine Safety as Important as Speed... Side Effects Cases in Countries That Vaccinated First"

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 16th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea emphasized that "safety is as important as speed" regarding the controversy over the failure to secure the COVID-19 vaccine and urged that it should not be used as a subject of political strife. They are also considering using financial sector training centers as temporary living facilities.

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting on the 16th, "Typically, vaccine commercialization takes 10 years, and clinical trials alone take at least 4 to 8 years," adding, "The COVID vaccine is being developed and administered at an unprecedented speed amid the global pandemic. Some side effects have been reported in countries that started vaccinations earlier."

He continued, "It is now as important to secure vaccine safety by closely monitoring the situation in countries administering the vaccine as it is to accelerate the process."

This was a rebuttal to the People Power Party's criticism that the government failed to secure vaccines. Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said the day before, "With the third wave of COVID-19 causing widespread anxiety, the government, which boasted about K-quarantine without securing vaccines, now worries me about how they will deceive the public."

Kim, the floor leader, criticized, "The government is carefully establishing vaccination plans considering various variables such as public safety and efficacy. However, the opposition party is stirring public anxiety by expressing concerns about vaccine shortages," adding, "It is very regrettable that the opposition party is making vaccines, which are crucial to the lives and safety of the people, a subject of political strife." He emphasized, "Vaccines that protect the lives of the people should not be a subject of political conflict. The timing, target selection, and procedures for vaccination should be entrusted to medical judgment."

Lee Nak-yeon, the leader of the Democratic Party, will hold a video conference with financial institutions such as KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, and Woori Bank in the afternoon to secure facilities for COVID-19 confirmed patients. Previously, through consultations with large churches, they secured 890 rooms of living treatment centers and temporary living facilities for self-quarantined individuals using prayer centers. At the meeting, Lee said, "Today, the financial sector has agreed to provide several hundred rooms in training centers as temporary living facilities," adding, "Movements to participate are continuing from companies, associations, and educational institutions. I deeply appreciate this, and such solidarity and cooperation will be a great force in overcoming the national crisis."

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