Opposition Party Criticizes Government Daily Over Concerns of '4th Wave of COVID-19'... "Vaccines Ultimately Left Empty-Handed"

On the 2nd, a medical staff member at Mapo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul was busy filling syringes with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine ahead of vaccination for the head of a health and medical organization. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] As concerns over the COVID-19 '4th wave' grow, the opposition parties have been criticizing the government and ruling party daily regarding vaccine procurement.

On the 24th, Yoon Heeseok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary, "They boasted about securing vaccines, but as the situation worsened, they tried vaccine swaps and even promoted the Russian vaccine, yet ended up empty-handed," adding, "When trying to procure new vaccines, prices soared, and the vaccines they claimed to have secured have gone completely silent. Has there ever been such a tangled situation in the government's actions?"

Spokesperson Yoon continued, "The only news we hear is that Blue House and Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff were prioritized for Pfizer vaccinations," and criticized, "Now, even blaming the U.S. and vaccine manufacturers is coming from the ruling party. Does that improve the worsening public opinion or bring in vaccines that were not there?"

Kim Yeryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, also said the previous day, "There is not even a promise for the 'vaccine,' which is the core of nationwide herd immunity," and pointed out, "The government's 'false statements' about vaccines are not just one or two, but this government keeps blaming others and accusing the public and opposition of producing 'fake news,' engaging in divisive rhetoric with no measures in place."

Spokesperson Kim added, "There is no more time to make excuses and lies," and said, "They should admit what needs to be admitted and mobilize all means, including experts and the opposition, to fully focus on securing vaccines."

Ahn Cheolsoo, leader of the People Party, demanded on the 22nd that President Moon Jae-in engage in diplomatic visits to vaccine-developing countries. Ahn's claim is that President Moon should lead a government-wide purchasing diplomacy team composed of the head minister, ruling and opposition lawmakers, medical professionals, and related industry figures.

Ahn also expressed his willingness to personally join the special envoy team, stating, "If the government requests, I can also participate in that special envoy team."

He said, "Due to the Blue House's incompetence and arrogance, the lives and livelihoods of the people must no longer be damaged," and warned, "If the president's fatal misjudgments and complacency prolong the nation's suffering, and if the government remains fixated only on the faded achievements of K-quarantine without resolving the vaccine issue, history will record President Moon and the Democratic Party as the worst ruling conservative forces that only engaged in political strife while dragging South Korea backward."

Meanwhile, according to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 24th, there were 785 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. This continues the four-day streak of new cases in the 700s since the 21st (731 cases).

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