President Moon Jae-in Sends Letter Saying "Korea Leads Vaccine Development"... Also Expresses Intention to Increase Light Fund Contribution
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft (MS) and chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, stated that if SK Bioscience succeeds in developing a vaccine for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it will be able to produce 200 million vaccines annually. Chairman Gates said this in a letter sent to President Moon Jae-in, noting that Korea's COVID-19 vaccine development is at the forefront globally.
Yoon Jae-kwan, deputy spokesperson of the Blue House, disclosed the letter sent by Chairman Gates on the 26th. In the letter sent on the 20th, Gates highly praised Korea's response to COVID-19 and President Moon's leadership.
Deputy Spokesperson Yoon said, "This is the first time Chairman Bill Gates has sent a letter to President Moon Jae-in," adding, "In this letter, Chairman Gates expressed his gratitude for the leadership shown by President Moon during these difficult times and for the efforts of the President and First Lady toward global health."
Deputy Spokesperson Yoon stated, "He hoped to further strengthen cooperation between our government and the Gates Foundation and to work with President Moon in responding to COVID-19 and other global health challenges," adding, "He also congratulated First Lady Kim Jung-sook on her appointment as honorary chairperson of the Korea Supporters' Association of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and paid tribute to her support for global solidarity in the equitable and fair distribution of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines."
In particular, Chairman Gates was impressed by Korea's COVID-19 response, praising the excellent quarantine measures and noting that Korea is a leader in the private sector in vaccine development and other areas.
Deputy Spokesperson Yoon said, "He stated that if SK Bioscience, which received research and development funding for the COVID-19 vaccine from the Gates Foundation, succeeds in developing the vaccine, it will be able to produce 200 million vaccines annually starting from June next year," adding, "He expressed hope to work with our government so that people in Korea and around the world facing difficult situations can benefit from the vaccines developed in Korea."
Meanwhile, Chairman Bill Gates expressed his gratitude for Korea's commitment to contributing to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) at the ‘Global Vaccine Summit’ held last month.
Deputy Spokesperson Yoon said, "He announced that the Gates Foundation will increase its investment in the RIGHT Fund, which was jointly established by our government and the Gates Foundation," adding, "On April 10th, President Moon had a phone call with Chairman Bill Gates to discuss cooperation in COVID-19 response and collaboration in vaccine and treatment development."
A Blue House official explained, "The RIGHT Fund is a public-private nonprofit foundation established jointly by Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Gates Foundation, and domestic life science companies with the goal of promoting global public health," adding, "Chairman Bill Gates mentioned plans to increase the investment amount, and regarding whether our government will increase its investment, we will inform you once a decision is made."
The Blue House official said, "Since a letter recently arrived stating that Chairman Bill Gates intends to further increase the investment amount he has made so far, it is understood that our government will need a little more time to decide on its course of action."
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