Lee In-young on 'Sharing Vaccines Between South and North' Controversy... Ministry of Unification: "Intended to Convey Sincerity for Cooperation"

"Expressed Willingness for Inter-Korean Health Cooperation"
"Minister Wang's Meeting, No Requests Made to China"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young appeared on KBS News 9 on the 18th and said, "If South and North Korea can cooperate on (COVID-19) treatments and vaccines, I believe North Korea could create an opportunity to somewhat escape the economic sacrifices it has endured due to its COVID-19 quarantine system." He added, "Even if (COVID-19 vaccines) are somewhat insufficient, I think sharing when there is a shortage is the truest form of sharing," proposing vaccine support to North Korea. The next day, North Korea reaffirmed its existing stance of "not accepting external assistance."

On the 26th, the Ministry of Unification clarified that Minister Lee In-young's remarks about sharing COVID-19 vaccines with North Korea, which sparked controversy, were intended to convey the sincerity of inter-Korean health cooperation.

Earlier, on the 18th, Minister Lee appeared on KBS News 9 and said, "If the South and North can cooperate on treatments and vaccines, I believe North Korea could create an opportunity to somewhat escape the economic sacrifices it has endured due to its COVID-19 quarantine system."

He added, "I think sharing (COVID-19 vaccines) together when we are somewhat lacking, rather than sharing only when we have plenty, is the truer form of sharing," proposing the sharing of COVID-19 vaccines between South and North Korea.

Criticism arose that Minister Lee's remarks were inappropriate given that the government has not yet secured COVID-19 vaccines or treatments.

Kim Geun-sik, a professor at Gyeongnam National University and the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district committee chairman, said, "Minister Lee In-young, who suggests sharing with the North despite not having secured vaccines yet, is in no way a member of the South Korean Cabinet," adding, "If you want to show love to the North at all costs, resign as minister and do it."

A Ministry of Unification official told reporters on the same day, "We understand there are critical tones, but please understand that it was a strong expression of our government's commitment to health cooperation."

He explained, "It was not about giving because we have surplus vaccines and treatments, but about conveying sincerity in health cooperation with North Korea even though we are somewhat lacking. The nuance is definitely different," he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification expressed strong regret over a domestic media report claiming that the ministry made every effort to arrange a meeting between Minister Lee and Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, who was visiting South Korea, but the meeting fell through, calling it a 'speculative report.'

The official stated, "When major foreign dignitaries visit South Korea, ministerial meetings are naturally considered. In this context, we reviewed whether to arrange a meeting with Minister Wang Yi, but after considering various factors, we decided not to proceed. We did not even request a meeting from the Chinese side," he said.