People Power Party: "Government merely 'watches from across the river' after vaccine procurement failure... First domestically imported vaccine is for US Forces Korea"

The People Power Party criticized the government's handling of COVID-19 vaccine supply issues, stating, "The government should focus on securing vaccines rather than making poor excuses." Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Nah Han-ah] As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine was first imported into South Korea on the 25th for vaccination of the US Forces Korea, the People Power Party criticized the government’s COVID-19 vaccine supply issues, stating, "The government should focus on securing vaccines rather than making lame excuses."

Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement on the 26th, "We hope the golden time is not missed," and pointed out, "The Prime Minister announced a contract for 16 million doses of Janssen and Pfizer vaccines ahead of Christmas, but vaccines for the US Forces Korea have already arrived at Incheon Airport, and other countries have already started vaccinations."

She continued, "Our government said it would closely examine whether the vaccines administered first are actually safe and sufficiently effective, but compared to countries like the US and Europe that have already started securing vaccines to supply their citizens as soon as possible, this is nothing but a poor excuse."

She also criticized, "More than 40 countries are starting Pfizer vaccinations within this year, but South Korea’s initial goal of introducing vaccines in the first quarter of next year has long been missed, and only a minimal amount of AstraZeneca vaccines will be available around February to March, so the praise for K-quarantine is just superficial."

Furthermore, she raised her voice, saying, "The government has been like a bystander watching a fire across the river and only making irrelevant remarks, which has led to not only vaccine anxiety but also growing distrust in the government."

Spokesperson Kim emphasized, "The government should actively and swiftly focus on securing vaccines using next year’s vaccine budget, which was reflected following the opposition party’s proactive demands, so as not to miss the golden time," adding, "If vaccine procurement is not properly done by February or March, causing public anxiety and confusion, the consequences will be even greater."

Meanwhile, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines delivered to South Korea the previous day were transferred to the 'Brian Allgood' hospital, a medical facility at Camp Humphreys, a US military base. Vaccinations are planned to begin as early as next week after the Christmas holidays, prioritizing medical staff and support personnel, and then extending to the entire US Forces Korea community.