Choi Moon-soon, "Russian Vaccine, a Good Way to Improve Inter-Korean Relations" ... Will Vaccine Diplomacy Succeed?

Governor Choi to Discuss Key Issues with Coolik, Russian Ambassador, on 27th

On the 20th, the second dose validation badge batch of the 'Sputnik V' vaccine by Korea Corus is being loaded onto a Korean Air flight for shipment to Russia. [Provided by Korea Corus]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] As the government hinted at the introduction of the Russian vaccine, attention is focused on the meeting between Kulik, the Russian Ambassador to Korea, and Choi Moon-soon, Governor of Gangwon Province.

Gangwon Province announced on the 26th that "Governor Choi Moon-soon and Ambassador Kulik will meet at 3:30 PM on the 27th in the Provincial Government's Trade Consultation Room to discuss key issues between Korea and Russia."

According to the province, the main agenda includes the introduction of the Russian helicopter exhibition (May 20-22, Moscow) and consultations regarding the contract manufacturing of the Russian vaccine 'Sputnik V.'

Governor Choi expressed gratitude for entrusting Korean Corus, located in the province, with the production of the Russian vaccine and is expected to ask for continued support.

After the meeting with Governor Choi, Ambassador Kulik plans to inspect the Russian vaccine production site at Korean Corus's Chuncheon plant.

Korean Corus's parent company, GL Rapha, signed a tripartite agreement last November with the United Arab Emirates and the Russian sovereign wealth fund (RDIF) to contract manufacture (CMO) 150 million doses (one dose per vaccination) of the 'Sputnik V' vaccine.

In December last year, 4,500 prototype doses were delivered to Russia, and full-scale production shipments are scheduled to begin by May.

Meanwhile, the government is monitoring the overseas situation of the 'Sputnik V' vaccine in preparation for uncertainties in COVID-19 vaccine supply, and Korean Corus is also preparing for the domestic introduction of 'Sputnik V.'

In this regard, Governor Choi mentioned in an interview with Russia's Sputnik News in February that "Korea's vaccine diplomacy in cooperation with Russia could be a good way to improve inter-Korean relations."

At that time, Governor Choi also stated that sending the 'Sputnik V' vaccine manufactured in Korea to North Korea could be a way to restore inter-Korean relations.

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