Song Younggil: "It Is Only Just for the State to Take Responsibility for COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries If It Recommended Vaccination"

"This Is Not About Spreading Vaccine Conspiracy Theories"

Song Younggil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, argued that if individuals suffered harm from the COVID-19 vaccines recommended by the government, the state should take responsibility.

Younggil Song, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

On March 20, through his personal social media account, Song stated, "Just as a car accident does not mean we can abolish cars, but the victims of such accidents must be compensated, the same applies to vaccines." He added, "If the government recommended and encouraged COVID-19 vaccination, it is only just that the state should also be responsible for any resulting harm."

He went on to clarify, "I am not suggesting any vaccine conspiracy theories," and said, "A healthy young man in his twenties passed away after receiving the vaccine. If the state still refuses to acknowledge its responsibility, then what does the state mean to that family?"

He continued, "I am making only one point: expanding the presumption of causality, shifting the burden of proof, and providing genuine relief for damages." He emphasized, "To establish a system in which the state fully assumes responsibility for citizens who trusted the government and participated in vaccination, I will continue to do my best to improve laws and institutions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.