Geum Tae-seop: "Kim Tae-nyeon exaggerating vaccine risks for political purposes is a topic for international headlines"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Geum Tae-seop, a former lawmaker who declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor, criticized Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who mentioned the side effects of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, saying, "Exaggerating the risks of vaccines for political purposes is a topic for overseas news."

On the 22nd, former lawmaker Geum said on Facebook, "The ruling party must immediately stop shifting responsibility to concerned citizens, the media, and the opposition party regarding the current situation and stop actions that foster distrust."

Earlier, Floor Leader Kim stated at an official meeting, "The government's principle is to verify safety and then administer vaccinations," adding, "There have also been reports of side effects such as allergic reactions and facial paralysis after vaccination."

In response, former lawmaker Geum said, "I want to ask Floor Leader Kim, is the delay in vaccine introduction due to safety verification?" He pointed out, "Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said that vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is behind Pfizer and Moderna, can proceed with approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regardless of the US FDA approval."

He criticized, "Should we believe the ruling party floor leader or listen to the prime minister and president? Moreover, exaggerating the risks of vaccines for political purposes is a topic for overseas news."