[Summary] "Stop the 'Vaccine Politicization'" from Blue House... Opposition: "Stop Vaccine Incompetence First," "Audacity Has Its Limits"

Cheong Wa Dae Appeals to "Stop Politicizing Vaccines"

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the 'Meeting with Five Key Figures' held at the Blue House on the morning of the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Political conflicts are intensifying over the issue of securing vaccines for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). As criticism continues over the delay in vaccine procurement, the Blue House and the ruling party have responded by urging an end to the politicization of vaccines. On the other hand, opposition parties including the People Power Party have raised the level of criticism, saying, "Stop the vaccine incompetence first," and "How long will you keep covering the sky with your palm?"

The Blue House, responding to the responsibility claims against President Moon Jae-in regarding the delay in vaccine procurement raised the day before, stated, "We earnestly ask to stop the politicization of vaccines." They also rebutted that President Moon had instructed 'sufficient vaccine procurement' since April.

Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok, in a written briefing that day, disclosed 13 instructions from President Moon from April 9 to December 8 regarding the development and procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, explaining, "Due to the president's instructions, the government has supported securing vaccine sovereignty with a budget of 218.6 billion won (including 193.6 billion won from the third supplementary budget). Additionally, 44 million doses of overseas vaccines have been secured. We plan to do our best to advance the vaccination schedule."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd, saying, "(The opposition and some media) are inciting public anxiety by using baseless rumors and distorted statistics," and "(Rumors and distortions) demoralize the quarantine authorities and medical staff who have been fighting for nearly a year and break the morale of researchers." He then instructed, "Firmly respond to reports that promote groundless fear."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking about the three major disqualifications of Byeon Chang-heum, nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and current issues such as securing COVID-19 vaccines at a press briefing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In response, the opposition parties raised their voices in unison. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a press conference at the National Assembly on the 23rd, "Vaccinations have already started in some countries, but our people have no idea when vaccination will be possible or how much vaccine supply will be secured," and criticized, "The opposition, media, and experts who point out these issues are repeatedly accused of causing public anxiety."

Floor leader Joo said, "Vaccine issues are matters for presidents worldwide. The president must personally take responsibility and secure vaccines, not just order it verbally," adding, "However, in our case, the president only told to secure vaccines in September when most vaccine contracts were almost completed, and now we see reports that he is frustrated because vaccines have not been secured. This is truly disappointing and shocking."

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the same party, wrote on his Facebook that he was "speechless" at the Blue House's demand to stop the 'politicization of vaccines,' saying, "Isn't the vaccine the most important and urgent issue for the people right now?" He questioned, "The people are in great fear without even knowing when vaccines will be properly secured. Is it enough to just say a few words to pay attention to vaccines?"

He continued, "The next year's budget submitted by the Moon Jae-in administration to the National Assembly did not even include a separate budget for vaccine purchase and vaccination from the start," and criticized, "Looking at next year's government budget alone, the government thought lightly of vaccine purchase and vaccination, and was only busy boasting that K-quarantine, based on the voluntary sacrifice of the people and the dedicated efforts of medical personnel, was the president's own achievement."

Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam National University and chairman of the Songpa District of the People Power Party, pointed out, "The COVID-19 vaccine that will save lives should have been secured in advance and in large quantities as a matter of national life," and criticized, "Due to K-quarantine arrogance, illusions about domestic K-bio development, and strategic mistakes prioritizing treatments over vaccines, President Moon has created vaccine incompetence and a vaccine backward country."

He added, "Is the opposition's demand for vaccine procurement 'politicization of vaccines'? It is the opposition's role to question and criticize the government's vaccine incompetence. Stop the vaccine nonsense and stop the vaccine incompetence first," he criticized.

Choi Hyung-doo, floor spokesperson, said in a statement that day, "The president's instruction to 'secure sufficient overseas vaccines' only came out in September, and government ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare only took actual action in late November," and criticized, "How long will the Blue House and the ruling party keep covering the sky with their palms?"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also wrote on his Facebook, "The Blue House said, 'Stop the politicization of vaccines,'" and said, "Politics is about solving the people's pain, so why tell us to stop politics? Wasn't the president and the Blue House the ones who most politically exploited K-quarantine, which the whole world envies during the COVID-19 crisis? Isn't this the height of hypocrisy?"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, criticized on his Twitter the day before, saying, "What President Moon Jae-in should say now is not to shift responsibility but to come up with measures," and added, "Other countries' heads of state have directly managed vaccine issues. This is a matter of people's lives."

Choi Yeon-sook, Supreme Council member of the People’s Party, pointed out at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "The government's failure to respond has seriously threatened the lives and safety of the people. Meanwhile, the delay in securing vaccines has made the situation even more difficult," and said, "If the government had listened to experts' advice to prepare beds and vaccines early in the initial stage of COVID-19, the people's lives and safety would not have been threatened."

The Justice Party also emphasized that the government must not delay in securing vaccines. Kang Eun-mi, floor leader of the Justice Party, said at the party leadership meeting held at the National Assembly, "The schedule to start vaccine supply from February to March is at least three months behind neighboring countries," and criticized, "The government should reflect on whether it has been complacent in dealing with vaccines so far. Our people are still trembling in fear, not knowing which vaccine or when they can get vaccinated. There must be no further delays in COVID-19 response measures."

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