Lee Nak-yeon "Free Supply of COVID-19 Treatment to All Citizens"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at a meeting to review the status of COVID-19 treatment development held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 12th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced plans to provide COVID-19 treatments free of charge to all citizens nationwide.

A Democratic Party official stated on the 12th, "Leader Lee Nak-yeon said that any pharmaceutical company's treatment should be used for the people, and that it is appropriate for the state to take responsibility for treating major infectious diseases," adding, "If it benefits the people, the state should take responsibility and ensure the treatment is used."

However, regarding some media reports suggesting that the free treatment would be a Celltrion product, the official said, "No specific company's treatment was mentioned."

Earlier that day, Lee attended a meeting at the National Assembly to review the status of COVID-19 treatment development, saying, "We have already succeeded in early diagnosis. Now, we face the tasks of early treatment and early prevention," and expressed optimism, "If all goes well, within a month or two, we may become a country equipped with the three pillars of COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and prevention."

The meeting, hosted by Democratic Party lawmakers Lee Kwang-jae, Hwang Hee, and Shin Hyun-young, was attended by key representatives from major domestic COVID-19 treatment developers, including Kwon Ki-sung, Head of Research and Development at Celltrion; Lee Jae-woo, Head of Development at GC Green Cross; and Park Hyun-jin, Head of Development at Daewoong Pharmaceutical, who shared updates on development progress.

In particular, Head Kwon stated regarding the company's antibody treatment Phase 2 clinical trial results to be released on the 13th, "We have obtained results beyond expectations," adding, "These results are equal to or better than existing COVID-19 antibody treatments such as those from Eli Lilly and Regeneron."

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