[2022 National Audit] Baek Gyeong-ran "Considering Withdrawal of Appeal for Vaccine Damage Compensation"

At the Welfare Committee Audit, 'Vaccine Damage Compensation' Under Scrutiny
Opposition Member Strongly Criticizes Disease Control Agency Chief's Response Attitude

Baek Gyeong-ran, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is greeting members of the National Assembly at the National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held on the 5th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Baek Kyung-ran, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), stated that she would consider withdrawing the appeal against the court ruling that COVID-19 vaccine damages should be compensated. During the Q&A session regarding vaccine damage compensation, Baek's attitude in her responses was also criticized.

On the 6th, COVID-19 vaccine damage compensation was brought up during the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee’s audit. Kim Doo-kyung, chairman of the COVID-19 Vaccine Damage Council, who attended as a witness, said, "Vaccines that have not even undergone clinical trials were given emergency approval and administered, and when deaths occurred due to side effects, they cited foreign cases to provide consolation money instead of compensation," adding, "Even when seeking state support, people are unable to receive it because they do not meet welfare criteria."

Another witness, Choi Mi-ri, a bereaved family member of a COVID-19 vaccine damage victim, said, "I applied for damage compensation in September but was told to apply again in March," and added, "The KDCA, which is supposed to notify the results within 120 days after the damage compensation application, has remained silent even though several months have passed. This is clearly neglect of duty."

When Justice Party lawmaker Kang Eun-mi questioned the official letter notifying the review results received by the witness, asking, "Can this be considered a normal damage compensation notice?" Commissioner Baek replied, "It seems to be a somewhat difficult issue."

Lawmaker Kang also asked about the court ruling ordering the government to compensate vaccine damages. Earlier in August, the court made the first ruling that the state must compensate a man diagnosed with cerebral hemorrhage after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and the KDCA appealed.

Regarding the reason for the appeal, Commissioner Baek said, "As far as I have been informed, it was proceeded because there was a need to supplement more data related to the medical causality stage," but when asked later if she would withdraw the appeal, she said, "I will consider it."

During further questioning about vaccine damage compensation, Baek’s attitude in her answers was repeatedly criticized. Regarding cases of adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine, Baek responded, "I have not received reports," or "I saw it in the media."

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Han Jeong-ae said, "Listening to Commissioner Baek’s answers during the audit yesterday and today, she said, 'I cannot answer because I have not been informed,'" adding, "This is not a statement befitting someone responsible for their position; it is like 'watching a fire from across the river.' If it is her duty, shouldn’t she immediately say, 'I will look into it'?"

Welfare Committee Chairwoman Jung Chun-sook also said, "She should not say, 'I have not been informed' or 'I learned through the media,' and must reveal who the staff member was that proceeded with this matter without the commissioner’s knowledge."