US White House "Cooperation with Korea on COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturing"

▲U.S. President Joe Biden [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The White House in the United States has shown a positive response to the proposal by members of the U.S. House of Representatives to strengthen vaccine cooperation with South Korea.

On the 4th (local time), according to Kim Min-seon, a Korean American and director of the Korean Immigration History Museum and a Democratic Party delegate from New York State, the White House recently sent a letter to Carolyn Maloney, Chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

In the letter, the White House stated, "The Joe Biden administration is cooperating with the South Korean government to expand COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing."

Furthermore, the White House mentioned the 'Korea-U.S. Global Vaccine Partnership Expert Group' agreed upon at the Korea-U.S. summit in May, adding that comprehensive cooperation with South Korea is underway.

In particular, the White House referred to the fact that it sent 1 million and 400,000 doses of the Janssen vaccine to South Korea in June and August respectively, explaining that "the relationship between the Biden administration and South Korea is very deep."

It also emphasized that it will work closely with South Korea to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier, Chairwoman Maloney, with the signatures of 14 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives, sent a letter to President Biden urging a vaccine swap with South Korea.

At that time, they proposed a vaccine swap agreement, stating, "Consider lending vaccines so that South Korea can quickly expand its vaccination capacity."

The White House did not give a direct response to the lawmakers' vaccine swap proposal.

However, since it emphasized close cooperation with South Korea, analysts interpret that the possibility of a future vaccine swap agreement remains open.

Kim Min-seon, who prepared the vaccine swap proposal together with Chairwoman Maloney, said, "The White House's reply also mentioned that South Korea currently needs help due to COVID-19," adding, "It is hopeful news that the White House is aware of South Korea's situation and has stated it will cooperate going forward."

Kim also pointed out, "As public opinion in the U.S. political circles is becoming more positive about the vaccine swap, the South Korean government needs to actively persuade the U.S. government."

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