Kim Ki-hyun: "Absolutely No to Hosting China-led 'Virus Research Center' in Korea"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, raised his voice against "hosting a virus research center led by China in South Korea."

On the 22nd, Kim said through Facebook, "I clearly oppose hosting a virus center led by China, which was the epicenter of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection) pandemic, in our country."

Earlier, some media reported that discussions were underway to establish a Korea-China-Japan joint vaccine and virus research center, proposed by China's overseas cooperation organization 'Zhonghua Overseas Association,' on idle land at Pusan National University Hospital in Yangsan, Gyeongnam.

Regarding this, Kim stated, "Attempting to install a hazardous facility on our soil that could cause fatal risks even from minor safety accidents is a very dangerous choice stemming from the current administration's submissive stance toward China," and pointed out, "The doubts about the claim that the COVID-19 virus first leaked from the Wuhan Institute in China have not yet been resolved."

Kim added, "It is suspicious that China, the party responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, wants to establish the center in our country, which has a high population density, avoiding its vast territory. Moreover, there is little expectation for job creation or regional economic revitalization from hosting the center," and criticized, "This virus center hosting, which is merely the result of a Korea-China-Japan hot potato game, must never be tolerated for the sake of the people's lives and safety."