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US declines to comment on possible vaccine swap with Korea

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In this April 18 file photo provided by U.S. Embassy Seoul, U.S. special envoy for climate John Kerry speaks during a round table meeting with the media in Seoul. AP-Yonhap

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday declined to comment on any discussions with South Korea for a possible "vaccine swap" arrangement.

"We are not going to comment on the details of our private diplomatic conversations," a department official told Yonhap News Agency.

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong said on Tuesday (Seoul time) that the countries were "earnestly discussing" vaccine cooperation, under which Washington would provide COVID-19 vaccines from its stockpile to South Korea and Seoul would later pay back the U.S. with vaccines.

South Korea is facing difficulties in securing enough vaccine doses for its 52-million population.

Diplomatic observers have noted the countries may conclude their discussions before the upcoming bilateral summit of their leaders.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is set to visit Washington in the second half of May for his first in-person meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. (Yonhap)