[Exclusive] Transition Team Reviews Establishment of Compensation System for Vaccine Side Effect Victims

Discussion on Advance Payment for Victim Treatment and Funeral Expenses... Agreed to First Confirm Scale and Cases with KDCA and Others

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The Presidential Transition Committee is discussing the establishment of a compensation system for victims of COVID-19 vaccine side effects. As the first step toward realizing the "National Responsibility System," a pledge made by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, they have decided to first confirm the scale and cases of the damage together with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Considering that President-elect Yoon announced plans to completely overhaul the COVID-19 response system within the first 100 days of his administration, the new government's blueprint for COVID-19 prevention is expected to be prepared quickly.

According to the Transition Committee on the 29th, the Social Welfare and Culture Subcommittee, along with the KDCA, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19, and the Prevention Measures Headquarters, will work on establishing a compensation system for victims of vaccine side effects. An official who attended the briefing the day before explained the background, saying, "The aim is to expand the scope of national responsibility as much as possible to ensure immediate compensation for victims and their families."

It has been confirmed that internally, there has been discussion about prepaying medical and funeral expenses to victims and the deceased. After prepayment, a post-settlement will be conducted depending on the case, with a focus on "broad compensation." In particular, a method where the government, not the victims or their families, directly proves causality?which has been a stumbling block for victims of vaccine side effects?was also mentioned. This measure is intended to reduce the burden of proving side effects; among the approximately 1,500 cases reported as deaths following vaccination, the government has recognized causality in fewer than five cases.

However, it is reported that there are differing opinions within the Transition Committee regarding the systematization of compensation scope by case. There is concern that if the message of "unconditional compensation" is conveyed first, it could potentially disrupt the operation of the new government's quarantine system. Therefore, the Transition Committee plans to receive another report on the damage cases confirmed so far by the KDCA and others before proceeding with further discussions.

The briefing also included an evaluation of the current government's quarantine system. While most committee members assessed it as a "failure in quarantine policy," Ahn Cheol-soo, who serves as both a Transition Committee member and chairman of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee, emphasized the need to prepare for a "shift to an infectious disease response system based on scientific evidence rather than politics," directing the KDCA and others accordingly.

Inside and outside the Transition Committee, it is expected that the new government's quarantine system will be quickly organized, starting with the establishment of the compensation system. The proposals made by President-elect Yoon, such as the "COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effect National Reporting Center" and the creation of a "Victim Relief Fund," are also likely to be discussed soon. A Transition Committee official stated, "Although COVID-19 vaccination was implemented as a national responsibility, the failure to take responsibility for the damages has led to a loss of policy trust," adding, "We will develop improvement plans covering all aspects, including compensation and treatment."

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