Vice Minister Choe Jong-moon Discusses Vaccine Partnership and Technology Cooperation Implementation Plans in the US

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] From the 19th to the 22nd, Choi Jong-moon, the 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the United States, meeting with officials from the White House, the State Department, the House of Representatives, and business leaders to discuss concrete implementation plans for ▲Global Vaccine Partnership ▲cooperation on semiconductor, battery supply chains, and advanced technologies ▲linkage between the New Southern Policy and Indo-Pacific Strategy ▲joint projects on Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Vice Minister Choi met with Daleep Singh, Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Council (NSC) and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council (NEC), to discuss international contributions through the 'Korea-US Global Vaccine Partnership' and to consult on policy support measures to expand the interconnectivity of supply chains for key semiconductor and battery items.

They also had in-depth exchanges on promoting joint advancement in cutting-edge and scientific technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology, as well as overseas nuclear power plant projects.

With Samantha Power, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), they evaluated ongoing specific joint cooperation between KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) and USAID in areas such as climate change, marine debris, digital and cybersecurity, and focused discussions on expanding partnerships to discover additional projects.

With Marcia Bernicat, Acting Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, they discussed global health security and vaccines, joint entry into third-country development projects, climate change, and nuclear cooperation under the recognition that Korea and the US are indispensable partners cooperating not only on security but also on practical areas such as supply chains.

Vice Minister Choi also held virtual meetings with Vernice Ed Johnson, Chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and Don Beyer, Chair of the Joint Economic Committee of the House and Senate, presenting Korea's position and exchanging views on support for Korean companies investing in the US, cooperation in space and science technology, vaccine research and production, and securing professional visa quotas.

He discussed with Stanley Erck, CEO of Novavax, the trends in development and regulatory approval in the US for vaccines to be produced in Korea, as well as plans for trilateral technology development (R&D).