April 21, 2021 11:13
Supplies of Moderna s vaccine to Korea have now also been delayed and will not arrive until the second half of this year, Acting Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki admitted Tuesday.
Originally, enough Moderna doses for 20 million people were supposed to arrive in May after President Moon Jae-in personally made a troubleshooting call to the Moderna CEO, but that seems to have netted only an empty promise.
Hong did not explain why delivery will be delayed.
A vial of Moderna s vaccine and syringes are ready at a clinic in New York on April 16, 2021. /AFP-Yonhap
Last Thursday, health authorities said consultations are underway about contract manufacturing of an authorized vaccine by a Korean pharmaceutical company, and if those come to fruition production could start in August. They did not name the brand but seem to have been referring to Moderna.
FM Chung hopes US will help Korea with vaccine difficulties
Posted : 2021-04-21 13:37
Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong / Yonhap
Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong expressed hopes Wednesday that the United States will help South Korea address coronavirus vaccine shortages, just as Seoul helped the U.S. last year by providing test kits and face masks when its ally was struggling with the pandemic.
Chung made the comment in a forum with local journalists, a day after he revealed in a parliamentary session that Seoul is seriously discussing a vaccine swap arrangement with Washington. He did not elaborate on what that swap deal means.
Government s inconsistent vaccine policies undermine public trust
Posted : 2021-04-21 16:13
Updated : 2021-04-21 16:13
Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong speaks during a forum hosted by the Kwankun Club in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
By Kang Seung-woo
Amid mounting concerns over a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine, the government s ill-advised handling of its already-delayed rollout plan is angering the people who are anxious about recent infection surges.
Different government departments and officials are making inconsistent comments about vaccine procurement, making people losing trust in the administration s policies.
Since the country began its vaccination campaign, Feb. 26, a mere 3.41 percent of its 52 million population have received shots although the government boasted of having secured enough vaccines to inoculate 79 million people
Photo : KBS News South Korea s Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong said the United States is the only country so far that has positively responded to Japan s announced plans to dispose of radioactive water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.
At a parliamentary committee session on Tuesday, Chung said five countries near the Pacific Ocean, including the two Koreas, strongly criticized the decision, adding that China responded more harshly.
The minister said Seoul requested that Washington clearly explain the scientific basis behind its use of the term treated water, assessment that Tokyo s decision was made in a transparent manner, and that it fulfilled international safety standards.
Seoul, Washington earnestly discussing COVID-19 vaccine swap deal: foreign ministry koreatimes.co.kr - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from koreatimes.co.kr Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.