Jeong Cheong-rae "The World Recognizes K-Quarantine" vs Kwon Seong-dong "No Proper Vaccine Procurement"

Kwon Seong-dong, member of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties intensify over the issue of securing COVID-19 vaccines, Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, harshly criticized on the 23rd, saying, "Not a single vaccine has been properly secured." In response, Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, retorted, "The whole world recognizes K-quarantine, but only the opposition party fails to acknowledge it."

On the same day, Kwon appeared on KBS1's 'Sasageon-geon' and stated, "The most important thing to eradicate COVID-19 is securing vaccines. The second is developing treatments," adding, "That is why advanced countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia are engaged in a vaccine securing war. However, we have lost that war."

He continued, "Other countries are now all getting vaccinated, and once herd immunity is achieved, they will be freed from the dangers of COVID-19 and economic vitality will return. But we have to endure the current difficult situation until we secure vaccines and achieve herd immunity."

He also said, "This government has done nothing and has not secured a single vaccine. Now that the issue of presidential responsibility has surfaced, they are shifting the blame by saying 'the head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is primarily responsible for vaccine procurement.' Who is the head of the executive branch? It is the president, who plays the most important role in a national disaster."

Then Kwon added, "How will vaccine procurement be handled? When will it be secured? How much quantity will there be? These are the issues the public is concerned about."

Jeong Cheong-rae, Democratic Party of Korea member. [Photo by Yonhap News]

In response, Jeong, who appeared together, said, "From the opposition party's perspective, what is good about the Moon Jae-in government?" and "We should not fully trust the opposition's words but listen to evaluations from authoritative international organizations."

He said, "A few days ago, the UN announced the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals report. In it, South Korea ranked first among OECD countries in COVID-19 quarantine capability," adding, "This is an evaluation by the UN. I believe the UN's evaluation is more credible than that of the People Power Party."

He continued, "Also, South Korea ranked first in economic growth rate among OECD countries," and said, "But from the opposition's standpoint, it's like scolding the top student in school for not studying well. I hope the opposition acknowledges the evaluations made by internationally authoritative organizations."

Jeong also explained, "There are two ways to purchase vaccines," saying, "One is the COVAX Facility jointly purchased by the World Health Organization (WHO), and we have already made advance purchases there. Then there are two areas handled by the private sector, and in the case of AstraZeneca, the purchase contract is currently under confidentiality. We have already secured vaccines for 44 million people."

He said, "The opposition keeps saying the president is doing nothing, but from February to April, and even when meeting Bill Gates, the president has continuously instructed to secure vaccines in excess. Ignoring these facts and talking as if the president did nothing is a typical fake news-style criticism."

He added, "Everyone recognizes K-quarantine worldwide, but only the South Korean opposition party refuses to acknowledge it," and criticized, "This is like when the Nobel Committee was going to award the Nobel Peace Prize to President Kim Dae-jung, but the opposition party in Korea at the time said not to give the Nobel Prize."

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