Eonju Lee: "A Chinese Virus Center in Yangsan? ... Self-Advertised Foothold for China-Origin Biological Warfare"

Former Lee Eon-ju, United Future Party (currently People Power Party) lawmaker./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Amid discussions about establishing a Korea-China-Japan joint vaccine and virus research institute in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Lee Eon-ju strongly criticized on the 21st, calling it "an advertisement that voluntarily offers our citizens as hostages to serve as a foothold for a China-originated biological war worldwide."

In a post on her Facebook that day, former lawmaker Lee said, "They want to place a Chinese virus research institute in our own backyard. Stop it immediately."

She added, "Considering the chaotic global situation caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), even a prearranged plan should be canceled, but is it true that they want to establish a branch in Yangsan? What have the Democratic Party politicians who agreed to this, including Kim Du-kwan, been doing?" she criticized.

She continued, "What does a virus research institute do? Isn't it a place preparing for biochemical warfare? And it's not just anywhere, but a Chinese research institute. Then what would be the mission of that institute if established in Yangsan, Korea?" She reiterated, "Moreover, in the situation where US-China conflicts are intensifying, wanting to place a Chinese virus research institute in our backyard is unforgivable."

She demanded, "President Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party should immediately disclose to the public how far this discussion has progressed and what plans they have."

Earlier, on the 13th, according to a local media report, the China Overseas Friendship Association (中華海外聯誼會), a Chinese overseas private cooperation organization, proposed to the Korean side the construction of a Busan virus research center.

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-kwan reportedly suggested the possibility of establishing the research center in Yangsan, a border area between Busan and Gyeongnam.

Amid the controversy, Kim's office stated, "It is true that talks about building a virus center have come up, but there have been no concrete discussions or progress so far."