문대통령 “우리의 치료제•백신으로 인류 생명 구하길…2,100억 원 투자”

As the world desperately looks for a cure or a vaccine for COVID-19, South Korean President Moon Jae-in has pledged to take the lead.
The government is investing over 170 million dollars in the development of vaccines and will make sure approval procedures are cut short.
Kim Mok-yeon has the details.
President Moon Jae-in vowed that South Korea would take the lead in efforts to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.
Speaking at a joint meeting with academics, medical experts and researchers on Thursday, President Moon promised the government's utmost support and cooperation with the private sector for the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
"The gov't will strengthen cooperation with the private sector to help the development of COVID-19 treatments. Vaccines for such contagious diseases require lengthy research and huge expense, making it difficult for the private sector to develop them in a short time. It will need the government's R&D investment and approval to shorten procedures to speed up the development."
The President said that the government will invest nearly 173 million U.S. dollars on vaccine development.
To ease regulations and speed up the process, the government will allow private researchers to use the government's bio-safety laboratories and will supply researchers with necessary resources such as blood and samples from infected and recovered patients.
The government will also strengthen the nation's vaccine industry by building a new virus research facility.
While stressing the importance of solidarity and cooperation with the global community to bring an end to the pandemic, President Moon promised to actively take part in sharing the country's findings with global organizations such as the World Health Organization and the UN.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.