The Radio Broadcast Ordeal of People Power Party Leader Candidate Assemblyman Jo Kyung-tae

Moderna-Pfizer US Vaccine Safety Debate Heats Up Between Moderator and Panelist
Argument Also Erupts Over Mispronounced Name

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Jo Kyung-tae, a member of the People Power Party who challenged for the party leadership, has been engaging in daily heated exchanges with radio hosts. While taking the lead in criticizing COVID-19 vaccine policies and confronting the opposition, his arguments with hosts have been fully exposed.

Assemblyman Jo Kyung-tae of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 11th, Jo appeared on KBS Radio’s Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs program and pointed out the risks of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Jo said, "The public wants to receive vaccines like Moderna or Pfizer, which have been more thoroughly verified," adding, "I think the government should take the lead and show more effort to ensure people get safe vaccines that are effective and well-verified."

In response, the host said, "In the U.S., although causality has not been established, there have been about 4,000 deaths following Moderna or Pfizer vaccinations," and questioned, "I need to ask whether what you are saying is a political claim or a scientific fact," and "What is the evidence that Moderna or Pfizer vaccines are much more verified than AstraZeneca?"

Jo criticized, "The AstraZeneca vaccine shows 66% efficacy." The host countered, "Scientists continue to say that scientifically, there is nothing definitive to say about vaccine efficacy percentages like 66%, 70%, or 90%."

Jo argued, "Why is AstraZeneca not used in the U.S., and why are more European countries restricting or banning AstraZeneca vaccinations? We need to look at this objectively."

The host again challenged, "If the U.S. FDA approves the AstraZeneca vaccine in May or June, should people get it then?" Jo replied, "Vaccination choice is free, but I would choose Pfizer or Moderna."

This debate ended with Jo criticizing, "I feel like you keep taking one side." The host responded, "Promoting and inciting vaccine anxiety like this is very inappropriate," and added, "You are not a doctor, are you?"

Later, Jo’s claim that he would choose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines was also challenged as unrealistic. On KBS Radio’s ‘Joo Jin-woo Live,’ Jo’s statement about choosing vaccines was discussed. Seo Eun-sook, a member of the Vaccination Injury Compensation Review Committee, said, "There is no right to choose the vaccine. When your turn comes, getting vaccinated is the way to protect yourself, those around you, and the community."

Jo’s troubles continued. On the 14th, on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show,’ the host said, "We are now with Jo Hae-jin, no, Jo Kyung-tae." Jo Kyung-tae responded, "You called me Jo Hae-jin. You shouldn’t run the show like that." The host apologized, saying, "Jo Hae-jin also declared his candidacy for party leader (so I made a mistake)," and added, "Thanks to that, Jo Kyung-tae’s name will be more firmly remembered." Despite the apology, Jo protested, "You shouldn’t do that intentionally," and "How can Jo Kyung-tae and Jo Hae-jin have the same name?" Jo Hae-jin is a politician representing the districts of Miryang, Uiryeong, Hamyang, and Changnyeong in Gyeongnam, while Jo Kyung-tae is from Busan Saha-gu. Both share the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK) region, showing some similarity.

When the host apologized again, Jo said, "You don’t have to hold it against yourself," but continued to protest, "Jo Hae-jin is a three-term lawmaker, and I am a five-term lawmaker. How can you confuse us? If you invite a guest, you should at least know that much."