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Joint memorial altar for COVID-19 victims installed at Cheonggye Plaza, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Jeongwan, intern reporter kjw106@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han, interns Jungwan Kim and Wooseok Kang] "I hope they acknowledge the causality and apologize to the victims."

On the 21st, at the joint COVID-19 memorial altar installed in front of the Sora Tower at Cheonggye Plaza, Jung-gu, Seoul, Lee Juhyung (66) met with reporters. He lost his 31-year-old son last September. According to Mr. Lee, his son died shortly after receiving the Pfizer vaccine. He emphasized that his son had no underlying illnesses and was a healthy young man.

However, the causality between vaccination and death has not yet been recognized. As a result, Mr. Lee is only informing passing citizens at the memorial altar about his grievance.

This memorial altar was set up on the 12th of last month by the COVID-19 Vaccine Victims Families Association (Kobaekhoe). The organization stated that they installed the altar to urge the government, which consistently denies causality despite clear vaccine-related damages, to take measures. While time passes helplessly, other countries are establishing compensation programs and beginning to support those who suffer adverse effects after vaccination.

According to foreign media, governments worldwide are reviewing applications to provide compensation for those who experienced vaccine side effects. The United Kingdom pays a lump sum of 120,000 pounds (approximately 200 million KRW) if vaccine-related damage is recognized.

The UK's National Health Service has received over 720 claims for vaccine injury compensation, including 438 cases of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) among some AstraZeneca vaccine recipients (79 deaths). The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that, considering current trends, a total of 1,500 to 1,800 claims are expected this year.

A banner expressing distrust in vaccination installed near the joint memorial altar for COVID-19 victims. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

The Norwegian government decided to pay compensation for 25 vaccine injury cases as of early February. In the United States, more than 3,320 COVID-19 vaccine injury claims have been filed, with liability recognized in one case. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) added the COVID-19 vaccine to its existing vaccine injury compensation program in 2020.

Representative cases of vaccine side effects in the U.S. include nine deaths from rare conditions such as thrombocytopenic thrombosis syndrome (TTS) among recipients of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. For vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna, rare myocarditis or pericarditis has been reported in some young men.

In response to such news, Mr. Lee emphasized, "We want the causality of (COVID-19 vaccination injuries) to be acknowledged." He continued, "There has been no apology so far, no matter what. Many families have been completely destroyed by extreme suffering, some even declaring bankruptcy." He added, "In other cases, there are two children aged seven and younger, and now their father suddenly passed away, which is very hard." He repeatedly appealed, "Self-employed people receive loans or support, but these people should also be helped."

Of course, South Korea has already started compensation support when vaccine-related injuries are recognized. According to the Vaccination Injury Compensation Expert Committee, a total of 13,792 cases of adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination have been cumulatively reviewed over 19 sessions, with 5,158 cases (37.4%) decided for compensation. As of the 16th, 524 people (92 severe cases, 432 mild cases) are eligible for medical expense support, and 15 people, including those who died in 2021, are receiving medical expense and condolence payments.

The recognition criteria are based on a comprehensive review of medical records, epidemiological investigations, underlying diseases, medical history, family history, and clinical progression of adverse reactions after vaccination. To expedite small compensation payments (under 300,000 KRW), the authority to decide vaccination injury compensation has been delegated to city and provincial governors, who reviewed 1,730 cases and decided compensation for 601 cases (34.7%).

Victims claiming various side effects and even death after vaccination are labeling the vaccine as a "murder vaccine" and criticizing the government. They are urging recognition of causality and a sincere apology following vaccination. Photo by Kim Jeongwan, intern reporter kjw106@asiae.co.kr

However, among the approximately 80 framed photos of vaccine recipients installed at the memorial altar visited on the 21st, none have received recognition of causality from the government, and thus have not received any support or compensation. This is why Mr. Lee raises his voice, asking for a proper review of the causal relationship after vaccination.

In another interview, he said, "We only got vaccinated because the government told us to." He lamented, "Even after my son’s death, not a single person has come forward to acknowledge causality or apologize." He expressed frustration, "Among Kobaekhoe members, about 30 have died like my son, but only two cases have been recognized as causally related to the vaccine."

Meanwhile, Kobaekhoe plans to continue urging the government to recognize vaccine victims. Kim Dukyung, president of Kobaekhoe, said, "The government keeps forcing people to get vaccinated. How can I get vaccinated when my son ended up like that? Are they telling us to get vaccinated at the risk of death? The number of victims keeps increasing. We must stop that. We will fight to the end." Kobaekhoe demands the invalidation of the Disease Control Agency’s vaccine causality reviews, vaccine safety assessments, and the enactment of a special law for vaccine victims.

Mr. Kim’s son, Jiyong (26), collapsed after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine in March last year. He was vaccinated following recommendations for priority vaccination of healthcare workers but experienced side effects such as vomiting, chills, and fever, and is now paralyzed in his arms and legs. He is unable to perform daily activities without assistance.

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