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| Bill Gates gives a speech on Korea's leadership in global initiatives to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic at the National Assembly in Seoul's Yeouido, Tuesday. Joint Press Corp. |
Yoon lauds Gates for contributing to health equity by giving people in developing countries access to vaccines
By Lee Hae-rin
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said Tuesday that Korea is expected to play a greater role in the global fight against infectious diseases and called for a global partnership to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Korea is poised to be a leader in this work," he said during a speech at the National Assembly, noting that the Asian country has "particular strengths" in manufacturing vaccines and diagnostic equipment and also possesses R&D capabilities to lead the global fight against the pandemic.
"This is a crisis moment for global health, so this is also a fantastic time for our foundation to strengthen partnerships here with Korea, providing great ideas for new tools and more resources to help those most in need," Gates said, calling on Korea to take part in future health alliances.
Gates mentioned Korea's $200 million commitment to COVAX, the global vaccine distribution platform, voicing his appreciation for the country giving back to the international community. Korea used to be a recipient of international aid shortly after the 1950-53 Korean War, but became a donor country after developing into Asia's fourth-largest economy.
It was the second time that Gates addressed Korea's National Assembly. In 2013, he was invited by then lawmaker Chung Mong-joon and gave a speech in front of Korean lawmakers.
"The pandemic reminded us not only did we care about other people that are suffering, but also that we're all connected," he added. "A single infection anywhere in the world without the right capabilities can spread to the entire world. It's almost like a fire, but a fire that doesn't stop at the edge of a city or a country, but grows to the entire globe."
The American business magnate, who arrived in Seoul Monday for a three-day visit, said the purpose of his trip was to "sign a memorandum of understanding with the (Korean) government that outlines our work together on global security, improvements in health equity and continued fight against infectious diseases in all countries."
He underscored the significance of multilateral health initiatives in times of the pandemic as they saved numerous lives.
Global health organizations such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and GAVI, the global vaccine alliance, have developed the COVID-19 vaccine, some in partnerships with Korean companies, and delivered them to countries around the world and saved tens of millions of lives.
Gates visited the National Assembly at the invitation of Speaker Kim Jin-pyo and had a 40-minute meeting with him and other lawmakers before giving the speech.
President Yoon Suk-yeol met Gates at the presidential office in Yongsan later on Tuesday and praised him for helping people in developing countries who had no access to vaccines.
"I think you contributed a lot to health equity, because people in developing countries were able to become free from diseases," Yoon said during a meeting with Gates.
The president reminded the American business magnate of SK Bioscience's successful launch of a COVID-19 vaccine in June, adding that he hopes the locally-developed vaccine can be widely used to protect people in developing countries from the virus.
Gates said Yoon's policy priority on biological innovation will create jobs and improve the health of people living in countries around the world.
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