The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) held a seminar under the theme of “Current Status of International Cooperation and Korea’s Role in the Pandemic Response” on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. 

In his opening remarks, KIEP President Heungchong Kim stressed the need to establish global governance that can control the global spread of regional epidemics.

EunMi Kim, Technical Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO), introduced the COVID-19 situation in Africa, progress on vaccinations, and support strategies of the WHO. She added that while low-income countries in Africa are currently receiving vaccines through the COVAX Facility, it will likely take a considerable amount of time to control the COVID-19 outbreak due to delayed vaccination. She also stressed that rapid vaccination will only be possible with support in the areas of regulation, screening, transportation, storage, vaccination facilities, vaccination training for health workers, communication by health authorities, and screening for adverse events and compensations.

Taeksoo Kim, Supply Chain Specialist at UNICEF, introduced the role of UNICEF in the efforts to purchase, supply, distribute, and vaccinate through the COVAX Facility, then pointed out the reality that the existing plans are not working properly. He called for global solidarity to solve issues associated with so-called vaccine nationalism, vaccine diplomacy, financing, and insufficient infrastructure. In particular, he argued to strengthen the public health supply chain led by international organizations, which will be essential for responding to a possible pandemic in the future.

Min-Whee KANG, Senior Advisor at the Office of the Director-​General of the WHO, conveyed the vivid atmosphere of the WHO headquarters at the forefront of COVID-19 prevention and control measures, and explained the progress of the pandemic and WHO responses to it. She also introduced the efforts of the international community for equitable distribution of vaccines around the world and urged each country to take an active joint response to minimize the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the health, economy, and society of global citizens.

Jukwan Lee, Associate Research Fellow at the New Trade Strategy Team of KIEP, made a presentation on the trend of discussions on waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines and the role of Korea. South Africa and India have requested suspension of the WTO's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to enable early expansion of COVID-19 vaccine production, and discussions continue in the international community on the issue. He, however, argued that direct donation through the COVAX Facility, consignment production, and technology transfer are more effective ways than TRIPS deferral for a short-term response. In addition, he emphasized cooperative methods to solve vaccine shortages through Korea's production capacity.

A discussion session followed, during which Hoon Sang Lee, visiting professor at the Yonsei University School of Public Health, Jin Kyo Suh, Senior Research Fellow of KIEP, and Munsu Kang, Associate Research Fellow of KIEP, shared their views on the issues presented in the previous sessions. All discussants agreed that cooperation between countries is essential in a reality where goods, services, capital and labor are tightly linked. In particular, they called for the establishment of an independent and permanent international organization that can correct disproportionate and inefficient resource allocation brought on by individual countries' pursuit of interests in the production and distribution of goods such as medical devices, personal protective equipment, vaccines, and medical treatments.

Participants stressed the need to gather wisdom on ways to pursue common interests through binding regulations that individual member countries can agree on. They also called for Korea to play a more active role in this regard, adding a positive assessment of Korea’s active leading role in international health cooperation agenda at the recent Korea-U.S. summit and G7 Summit.

- Title: Seminar on “Current Status of International Cooperation and Korea’s Role in the Pandemic Response”

- Date & Time: Wednesday, June 16, 2021. 14:00-19:00

- Venue: KIEP conference room

- Host: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

- Contact: Dr. Jang Youngook, Europe Team (yojang@kiep.go.kr)