Blue House and Ruling Party Criticize Opposition and Media Daily
Opposition Calls It "Passing the Buck" and "Frightening"
Government Plans Domestic Vaccinations in Q2 Next Year

President Moon Jae-in [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The Blue House and the ruling party have actively rebutted criticism blaming them for delays in securing COVID-19 vaccines by revealing President Moon Jae-in's vaccine-related directives.

On the 22nd, Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok issued a written briefing, stating, "Some media reports claiming 'the president's direct vaccine advice was ignored twice' or 'he reprimanded his aides belatedly' have led opposition figures to talk about 'disconnection from reality,'" and disclosed President Moon's vaccine-related instructions since April. This was an active explanation in response to public criticism over South Korea's delayed vaccine procurement compared to major countries including the United States.

Spokesperson Kang further appealed, "We earnestly ask to stop the 'politicization of vaccines,'" criticizing the opposition and media for "exaggerating and distorting the situation as if President Moon had been idle in securing vaccines, thereby amplifying public distrust."

The ruling party also joined the criticism. On the 22nd, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook, "The opposition and media are pouring criticism on the government's quarantine policies," and raised his voice, saying, "Inaccurate reports increase public anxiety and sow discord between the people and the government, which will exacerbate confusion in quarantine efforts and hinder the stabilization of people's livelihoods."

On the same day, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the same party, at a floor countermeasure meeting at the National Assembly, said, "I cannot understand if the media's purpose is to ridicule K-quarantine and brand the government with quarantine failure, shaking the trust between the government and the people," and condemned it as a "typical act of spreading false rumors."

The Johnson & Johnson-Janssen COVID-19 vaccine approved for introduction by the government.
Photo by Yonhap News

However, the Blue House's explanation has further fueled public criticism over the delay in vaccine procurement. Amid growing public anxiety due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the government is being criticized for trying to evade responsibility by blaming the opposition and media for the vaccine-related controversy.

The government explained the delay in South Korea's vaccine procurement by citing that it is not a vaccine-producing country. However, since non-producing countries such as Singapore, New Zealand, Israel, and Qatar have already secured vaccines and started or are about to start vaccinations, the government's explanation is seen as unconvincing.

The government also stirred controversy by saying there is "no need to get vaccinated quickly due to safety concerns" and that "the measures regarding vaccine purchase decisions and contract procedures are handled by Director Jeong Eun-kyeong of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)," implying that the delay in vaccine procurement is Director Jeong's responsibility.

The opposition strongly criticized the government, calling it "passing the buck."

On the 24th, Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "Does the Blue House want to shift the president's responsibility like that?" and pointed out, "Director Jeong, who was hailed as a hero of K-quarantine, completely cut off the president's instructions. How can a family member, who worked like one body, be suddenly denounced and made miserable? It's terrifying."

On the 23rd, Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the same party, wrote on her Facebook, "Are you trying to say that even though the president gave instructions more than ten times, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and KDCA did not listen?" and criticized, "If the government caused anxiety and disappointment among the people, the head of the government should apologize and present a future response plan to calm the public."

On the same day, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong questioned on Facebook, "What is the Blue House spokesperson thinking by revealing that no one listened despite the president's instructions? Is it 'disobedience'? Or 'deception'?" and condemned, "If it was intended as an alibi to evade responsibility, it is cowardly and irresponsible."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is delivering a speech at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting on COVID-19' held at Seoul City Hall on the 21st. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

On the other hand, there are opinions that the government's delay in securing vaccines was inevitable. On the 23rd, Professor Lee Jae-gap of Hallym University’s Department of Infectious Diseases appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and argued that the government's vaccine task force was formed in July when AstraZeneca's vaccine research was the fastest, making it difficult for the government to make vaccine procurement decisions.

Professor Lee said, "In July, AstraZeneca was the fastest among vaccines that had started phase 3 trials," adding, "The phase 3 trial was expected to end in October for AstraZeneca, but clinical trials were paused and postponed to December. Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna caught up and overtook, which made it very difficult for the government to judge. It was a hindsight misjudgment." The government completed a contract for 10 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine last month, with supply expected between February and March next year.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on the 24th that South Korea's COVID-19 vaccinations are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of next year. At a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Chung said, "The government signed purchase contracts for COVID-19 vaccines with global pharmaceutical companies Janssen and Pfizer yesterday."

He added, "Janssen contracted for 6 million doses, 2 million more than initially planned, and vaccinations are scheduled to start in the second quarter of next year. Pfizer contracted for 10 million doses, which will first arrive domestically in the third quarter of next year," and said, "We are mobilizing national capabilities to bring the introduction period forward to within the second quarter, and specific negotiations are underway."

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