Kim Tae-nyeon: "Sufficient Supply of COVID-19 Vaccines Secured... Ready to Accelerate Introduction"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 29th regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) vaccine, “We have secured sufficient quantities and are preparing to expedite the introduction.”

At the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Kim stated, “The government has secured vaccines for 46 million people and has finalized purchase contracts for 36 million doses.”

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He said, “The 60% vaccination rate needed to form herd immunity is sufficient, and we are preparing to secure additional quantities to prepare for unexpected situations. Excluding those who cannot be vaccinated, such as those under 18 years old or pregnant women, the quantity needed to vaccinate 100% of the eligible population has been secured.”

He continued, “We are also preparing to expedite vaccine introduction further,” and emphasized, “The party is checking daily regarding vaccine procurement and vaccination.” Floor Leader Kim added, “The government expects to start vaccinating priority groups such as elderly nursing home residents and quarantine workers from February next year,” and “We will announce a vaccine inoculation roadmap after consultation with the party.”

He also said, “This week, an application for approval of a COVID-19 treatment drug will be submitted to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. If the development and commercialization of the treatment drug succeed, another path to overcoming COVID-19 will open,” and criticized, “The opposition party should stop politicizing the vaccine issue. The opposition’s baseless agitation only undermines the pride of the people and is a self-destructive act.”

Policy Committee Chair Han Jeong-ae also said at the meeting that day, “Among the vaccines currently distributed, there is no vaccine that has completed clinical trials targeting adolescents under 18, infants, or pregnant women,” and emphasized, “Adults over 18 years old number about 8 million. The 46 million doses secured by the government exceed the number excluding these 8 million.”

Chair Han said, “In the case of the Pfizer vaccine, a cold chain capable of special management at minus 70 degrees Celsius must also be secured, and the government is making efforts to secure this,” and added, “The opposition party, which has experience running the government just a few years ago, should not be unaware of this, but they are speaking randomly. It is disappointing.”

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