Kim Tae-nyeon "Opposition politicizes COVID-19 vaccine"... Kim Geun-sik "Be honest, isn't it absent now?"

"Vaccine Shortage Incompetence, Something That Cannot Be Hidden Even If You Want To" Criticized

Kim Geun-sik, Professor at Gyeongnam University and Chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong Party Committee of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, claimed regarding the COVID-19 vaccination, "The reason the government cannot start vaccinations now is because they have not secured the vaccines," and urged, "Be honest."

On the 18th, Professor Kim wrote on his Facebook, "The reason foreign countries started vaccinations earlier is because they secured vaccines in advance."

He continued, "It is misleading as if vaccinations are being delayed despite having vaccines because tens of thousands of deaths have not occurred," and pointed out, "Be honest. There are no vaccines to vaccinate right now, are there? The US and the UK are vaccinating because they have vaccines, aren't they?"

He also said, "Even the AstraZeneca vaccine for 10 million people, which was just contracted, has not completed clinical trials, and the US FDA approval has not been granted, so its safety has not been confirmed," and criticized, "Do not recklessly claim the vaccine is safe."

Professor Kim emphasized, "Please do not cover the sky with your palm," and added, "The worst incompetence of not securing vaccines cannot be hidden even if you want to."

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the same morning, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized at the party's Supreme Council meeting, "The opposition's politicization of the COVID-19 vaccine issue has gone too far," and said, "Despite the government having already stated its position several times regarding vaccine procurement, the People Power Party continues to claim supply failures."

He added, "In October, they insisted on a full investigation of flu vaccines and stopping vaccinations until safety was confirmed, but now regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, they are demanding vaccinations start quickly without considering safety," and criticized, "This is a typical behavior of changing words according to circumstances and shaking the government."

Floor leader Kim said, "This is an act of disrupting quarantine by sowing discord between the government and the people and creating gaps in quarantine," and emphasized, "The opposition may try to undermine the achievements of K-Quarantine and gain political benefits, but regardless of their calculations, they should not engage in acts that promote social confusion and distrust at this time."

He urged, "Please trust the government and leave the vaccination to them. Confirming the safety and efficacy of the vaccine comes first," and added, "Now is the time to calmly finalize vaccine contracts and monitor the vaccine's effectiveness and safety."

Im In-taek, Director General of the Health Industry Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, is briefing on the government's secured quantities and supply timing of overseas developed COVID-19 vaccines at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, the government announced the current status of vaccine procurement and the vaccination plan on the same day.

Im In-taek, Director of the Health Industry Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said at a joint briefing held at the Government Seoul Office briefing room, "Vaccines for 44 million people have been secured," and added, "We are discussing with the executive branch about bringing in vaccines from COVAX in the first quarter of next year. Next week, representatives from COVAX and a joint team from related ministries will negotiate the supply schedule."

Regarding purchase negotiations with individual companies, he explained, "The contract for the Janssen vaccine is expected to be completed as early as next week," and "The Pfizer contract is currently in the final stage of legal review. We are aiming to conclude contracts with Janssen and Pfizer within this month and with Moderna in January next year."

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