Jung Se-kyun: "Lee Jae-myung Does Not Attend Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meetings Often, So He Is Unaware of the Vaccine Situation"

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo-mi Lee] Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who advocated for the introduction of the Russian vaccine 'Sputnik V,' saying he is "someone who rarely attends the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meetings." This implies that Lee is pushing for the import of the Sputnik V vaccine without understanding the government's efforts to secure vaccines.

In an interview on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 26th, former Prime Minister Chung said, "If you attend the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meetings, you learn about the government's efforts, the vaccine situation, and the vaccination plans. Knowing all this, it would be difficult to make such statements," sharply criticizing Lee.

When asked whether the discussion on introducing the Sputnik V vaccine, as advocated by Governor Lee, should be concluded, Chung emphasized, "Of course. I am even worried about what will happen if an excessive amount of Pfizer vaccines arrive in the latter half of the year."

He added, "Domestic pharmaceutical companies are currently developing vaccines, and I expect development to be completed around early next year," and argued, "Wouldn't it be better to use vaccines developed by domestic pharmaceutical companies if they succeed?"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is visiting Yoon Ho-jung, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th. On the right is Han Jun-ho, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, Governor Lee had advocated for the introduction of the Sputnik V vaccine. On the 24th, he posted on his Facebook, "If safety is verified to be at least as good as the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine currently being administered, there is no reason to exclude Russian-made vaccines," adding, "As long as the rat is caught well, what does the color of the cat's fur matter?"

He also added, "Gyeonggi Province has requested the central government to open the way for diversifying vaccine imports through rapid safety verification and to expand local governments' autonomy in vaccine administration."

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