Cheong Wa Dae to "Generously Support" COVID-19 Treatments and Vaccines...This Week, the Pan-Government Support Team Launches (Comprehensive)

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Science and ICT lead a team composed of vice ministers from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and other departments

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House has decided to launch an inter-ministerial support team this week based on the principle of "bold support" for the development of treatments and vaccines for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Yoon Jae-kwan, deputy spokesperson of the Blue House, said on the 12th, "The support team will comprehensively review the status of COVID-19 treatment and vaccine development and establish a rapid decision-making system to quickly resolve on-site difficulties such as regulations."

Vice ministers and officials from related ministries including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will participate in the support team. Additionally, private experts will also join the team to strengthen public-private communication.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Deputy Spokesperson Yoon explained, "The support team will comprehensively review the status of COVID-19 treatment and vaccine development and establish a rapid decision-making system to quickly resolve on-site difficulties such as regulations."

In particular, Yoon emphasized, "During last year's Japanese export restrictions, the public and private sectors worked closely together to support the field, successfully achieving early self-reliance in materials, parts, and equipment. The Moon Jae-in administration will further develop this success story by providing swift, bold, and generous support to ensure the early success of domestic COVID-19 treatments and vaccine development."

Earlier, on the 9th, President Moon attended the "COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccine Development Industry-Academia-Research and Hospital Joint Meeting" held at the Korea Pasteur Institute in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, where he instructed, "Create a permanent consultation framework involving both the private sector and government and provide inter-ministerial support."