[Exclusive] 'Vaccine Special Envoy' Proposal Emerges Even Within Ruling Party... "Will Review Practicality with Government"

Will It Be a Breakthrough for Vaccine Supply Issues?
Some Argue "Moon Should Leverage the Korea-US Summit
to Solve Vaccine Supply Problems"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The ruling party has decided to discuss with the government the dispatch of a "special envoy" to address the difficulties in securing COVID-19 vaccines. There are also calls from both inside and outside the ruling party for President Moon Jae-in to actively engage in vaccine diplomacy at the upcoming South Korea-U.S. summit next month.

On the 19th, Kim Sung-joo, the ruling party whip of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "We plan to meet with the government to confirm whether dispatching a 'vaccine special envoy' would be effective to some extent." Kim also stated, "We have confirmed through several consultations with the government that the goal is to achieve herd immunity by completing 70% vaccination by November, and we do not doubt that part," adding, "We will closely examine with the government whether vaccine procurement can be resolved through diplomatic approaches."

The ruling party's active use of the vaccine special envoy card stems not only from the necessity to facilitate smooth vaccine procurement but also from the increased pressure due to the opposition parties politically exploiting the issue. Opposition parties such as the People Power Party have heavily criticized the government for missing the 'golden time' to purchase vaccines. A key ruling party official said, "In the second half of the year, which is the presidential election season, countries like the U.S. and the U.K. will likely remove masks and form herd immunity, and at that time, we expect public opinion to turn negative toward K-quarantine and for the opposition to intensify their attacks."

In political circles, there are voices suggesting that President Moon Jae-in should leverage the South Korea-U.S. summit to resolve vaccine procurement issues by showing support for the U.S.'s China pressure strategy, such as participating in the Quad. Choi Ji-eun, the Democratic Party's international spokesperson, told this outlet, "We should be cautious about negotiating Quad membership on equal terms with vaccines," but added, "Using other cards like semiconductor supply might be more effective."

However, additional discussions between the party and government seem necessary regarding who will be appointed as the vaccine special envoy and whether dispatching such an envoy will be effective. In particular, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics might be mentioned as a special envoy in connection with semiconductor supply issues. Although the government had selected Lee as a special envoy, reports indicated that the plan was scrapped after he was imprisoned in January. Kim Geun-sik, head of the People Power Party's Vision and Strategy Office, argued on the 19th that "At the May South Korea-U.S. summit, we should consider temporarily releasing Lee and having him accompany the president to the U.S."