Washington Post Report... Problems Arise After Acquisition
Unable to Use on Time
Exchange Fact Revealed Late
Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland and his spouse are posing in front of the airplane that transported Korean-made COVID-19 test kits. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] It has been revealed belatedly that Larry Hogan, the "Korean son-in-law" and Governor of Maryland, USA, exchanged Korean-made COVID-19 diagnostic kits due to defects.
The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 20th (local time) that Maryland purchased 500,000 COVID-19 diagnostic kits called "LabGun," made by Korea's LabGenomics, for $9.46 million including shipping costs in two shipments starting April 18, but paid an additional $2.5 million to exchange them.
Earlier, Governor Hogan welcomed the kits at the airport when they arrived in the U.S. It was also introduced that his wife, Yumi Hogan, actively contributed to negotiations with the Korean side during the kit procurement process.
President Donald Trump had expressed strong dissatisfaction with Governor Hogan, a Republican, purchasing Korean-made kits.
WP pointed out that the Maryland state government did not properly disclose the fact that the diagnostic kits were replaced. WP also explained that Maryland state legislators raised this issue through hearings after the kits were not used for testing even a month after arrival, but state officials did not provide specific answers.
According to WP, Governor Hogan explained during a July memoir-related interview that the kits were upgraded.
In another interview, he said, "We paid a few dollars more per kit and exchanged them like trading iPhones for faster and better tests."
WP reported that LabGenomics did not respond to questions related to the diagnostic kits.
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