South Korea's struggle to boost coronavirus vaccine supplies is threatening to overshadow President Moon Jae-in's first summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, with pressure mounting on Moon to secure more and faster deliveries of U.S.-made shots.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks on the occasion of the third anniversary of his inauguration at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, May 10, 2020. Kim Min-Hee/Pool via REUTERS
Moon had hoped to use the Washington meeting next week as a chance to highlight South Korea's relatively successful response to the pandemic, a key legacy in his final year in office. That has sparked calls for a deal to get faster access to vaccines from the United States and potentially sidelined other important issues for Moon and Biden such as North Korea policy or relations with China and Japan.
A Reuters tally of global vaccination rates shows that's a percentage similar to countries such as Nepal and Colombia.But supply issues have raised fears those doses may not arrive fast enough, prompting Seoul to ask Washington to provide some doses as part of a "swap" for faster access to U.S.-made shots in return for domestically producing more doses later.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Op-Ed: President Biden, take the next step at Grand Staircase-EscalanteThe Biden administration's 30x30 conservation plan demands restoration of the two Utah national monuments that President Trump eviscerated.
Read more »
The New Moon in Taurus Means It's Time to Relax—and Then Plan Your Next VacationYou deserve it!
Read more »
Dust Off Your Vision Board: The New Moon Is In TaurusClose your eyes and think for a minute: What is it that you desire most in this world? Whatever it is, the new moon forming in hardworking Taurus on May 11, 2021 is the perfect time to start turning that desire into a reality — especially if you've been feeling trapped in your ways recently.
Read more »
SpaceX claims it will accept dogecoin as payment for an upcoming moon missionSpaceX is claiming it will accept dogecoin — the somewhat satirical but popular cryptocurrency — as payment for an upcoming mission.
Read more »
Christina Aguilera is over the moon to share long-awaited music newsGenie in a Bottle hitmaker Christina Aguilera delighted fans with long-awaited news which has her so excited
Read more »
Dogecoin fans react to SpaceX accepting crypto as payment for moon missionSpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced the news one day after Dogecoin plummeted in price during his 'SNL' appearance
Read more »