People Power Party "COVID-19 Vaccine Crisis Becomes Reality... Demand for Government Investigation"

"President Invites Public Distrust"
Vaccine Securing Needed During Korea-US Summit

Acknowledge Real Estate Policy Mistakes and Urge Market-Based Solutions

Joo Ho-young, Acting Leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 21st, the People Power Party criticized the government's delayed procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and demanded a government investigation.

Joo Ho-young, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, held an emergency committee meeting that day and pointed out, "The president and the government are causing public distrust with their indecisive and contradictory statements," adding, "The delay in the introduction of Moderna vaccines seems to be turning the vaccine crisis into a real reality."

Acting Leader Joo said, "The president's cognitive dissonance, claiming that K-quarantine must still be successful despite the vaccine disaster, intoxicated by the K-quarantine achieved through the sacrifices and patience of the people such as wearing masks and social distancing, is causing public confusion," and added, "Our party has consistently advocated and demanded vaccine swaps. We strongly demand that the upcoming Korea-US summit scheduled for May be thoroughly prepared in advance and that various conditions be met to secure a large quantity of high-quality vaccines from the US that may not be used immediately."

Lee Jong-bae, Chairman of the Policy Committee, expressed concern, saying, "Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable groups are being driven to livelihood crimes, resulting in a surge of 'COVID Jean Valjeans,'" and added, "The ruling party and government have decided to pass the discussion on the Small Business Loss Compensation Act to the May National Assembly. The government is showing no willingness to actively alleviate their suffering." He continued, "While the public is facing the worst vaccine supply crisis after overcoming the vaccine shortage, it is truly regrettable that the government remained silent when our party urged vaccine swaps and only belatedly began negotiations," and urged, "If there is anything that requires opposition cooperation, please be sure to request cooperation."

Kim Mi-ae, a member of the Emergency Committee, demanded a government investigation to clarify the problems from vaccine procurement to inoculation, saying, "We must reveal from whom and what reports were received and why there was an obsession with treatments and domestic vaccine development, and what was the basis for the statement made last December that the end of the tunnel was in sight."

Criticism was also raised regarding the ruling party's real estate policies. Acting Leader Joo emphasized, "There must be genuine change that fundamentally revises the anti-market structure itself, not policies that flip-flop in response to public opinion," and stressed, "Superficial policies can cause other side effects. The government and the Democratic Party of Korea should stop being stubborn, honestly admit their policy mistakes, and resolve this issue according to experts and in line with market principles, even now."