"Shifting Responsibility to KDCA? Interpretation Undermining Whole-Government Efforts" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government has strongly refuted claims that it is shifting responsibility to Jeong Eun-kyung, the head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), regarding delays in the domestic introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, calling such interpretations "inappropriate and damaging to the whole-of-government efforts."

On the 24th, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), stated during an online back briefing, "Reports suggesting that the government is shifting responsibility to the KDCA are inconsistent with the facts."

As criticism arose blaming President Moon Jae-in for the delayed COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Son had said the previous day, "The KDCA holds the final decision-making authority on vaccine procurement." Since the Blue House and government had positioned themselves as the de facto control tower from the early stages of the domestic COVID-19 response, Son's remarks were criticized as effectively passing the buck.

Son explained, "Under the current Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, the KDCA commissioner is the contracting party responsible for vaccine procurement decisions, but the government is united as one and is providing full support," adding, "Various ministries are cooperating across all fields including finance, law, and science."

He further requested, "It is inappropriate to interpret these efforts as shifting responsibility," and urged caution in interpretation, saying, "Such interpretations could unnecessarily damage whole-of-government efforts and public trust."

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