[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] On the 5th, President Moon Jae-in instructed a "comprehensive review" of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's transfer plan for the 'Infectious Disease Research Institute,' which is an expanded reorganization of the National Institute of Health and the Infectious Disease Research Center under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, announced this during a briefing at the press center on the same day.
Earlier, the government decided to elevate the KDCA from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Headquarters and announced the transfer of key research organizations to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which sparked controversy. Jeong Eun-kyeong, the head of KDCA who is a strong candidate for the first commissioner of the KDCA, also opposed the plan the day before, stating, "The KDCA also needs research institutions."
With President Moon's instruction for a "comprehensive review" on this day, it appears that the organizational restructuring plan will be put on hold.
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