Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Jan. 27 speaks at the Foreign Press Center(FPC) Korea Policy Forum, a monthly government event for foreign journalists, at FPC Korea in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Kim Sunjoo)

By Kim Minji and Lee Jihae

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Jan. 27 said the government is not closed to the possibility of sending leftover vaccines to third countries struggling with the pandemic including North Korea.

He said this at the Foreign Press Center(FPC) Korea Policy Forum, a monthly government event for foreign journalists, in response to whether Seoul will provide shots to countries struggling with COVID-19 and the North once herd immunity is achieved in South Korea through national vaccination. 

The event began at 3 p.m. at FPC Korea in Seoul's Jung-gu District.

"If we sign a deal to add vaccines for 20 million people in addition to those for 56 million, that could lead to leftover vaccines depending on circumstances," the prime minister said. "I believe that such a scenario would be a good thing."

"We are expected to achieve herd immunity this fall with 70% of the people to be vaccinated. But with things changing so rapidly nowadays, predicting the situation isn't easy."

He added, "But we will remain open to and consider this possibility."

On those eligible to get vaccinated in the country, the prime minister said, "Long-term foreign residents of Korea are expected to be included."

He also thanked foreign journalists for informing the world about Korea's response to COVID-19, saying, "We will firmly strengthen cooperation with the international community."
 

"We will transparently share with the world our process of overcoming COVID-19," he added. "Just as Korea's COVID-19 testing technology and experience contributed to the global response to the pandemic, the Republic of Korea hopes to contribute to the world in treatment and prevention."

The Korean Culture and Information Service, an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, hosted the event and aired it live with ten foreign journalists attending.

The monthly forum has a leading government official providing in-depth information about government policy and pending domestic issues to foreign media and sharing opinions with them.

kimmj7725@korea.kr