[국제]’Free Vaccine’ Starts First Vaccination in Africa…Myanmar’s Military Police Launch

[앵커]

The’free vaccine’ vaccination through the’CoVax Facility’, an international project for co-distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, began in earnest starting this week, starting in the African continent.

Two days after the worst bloodshed, where dozens of Myanmar military and policemen were killed, again fired live ammunition at the protesters, wounding at least three people seriously.

Let’s talk in detail with reporter Jin-ho Kim of the International Department.

You said that the free vaccination through’CoVax Facility’ started?

[기자]

Yes, free vaccinations have begun in Africa and the Americas.

The first beneficiaries are Ghana and Ivory Coast in Africa and Colombia in the Americas.

The amount of AstraZeneca vaccine supplied primarily through Kovax in Ghana was 600,000 doses.

The neighboring country, Ivory Coast, also received about 500,000 doses of vaccine, while Nigeria, the largest population in Africa, received about 4 million doses.

In the Americas, Colombia became the first country to benefit through Cobax.

Kovacs announced in a video press briefing today that it plans to deliver 237 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to 142 countries by the end of May.

[앵커]

U.S. President Biden said he could provide enough vaccines to all American adults by the end of May?

[기자]

Yes, it is.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a speech at the White House on the 2nd local time, and President Biden’s comment is two months ahead of the previously proposed date.

President Biden said earlier last month that all American adults could be vaccinated by the end of July.

The White House says it is taking steps to force pharmaceutical company Merck to produce a vaccine for Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to significantly increase the supply of vaccines.

To this end, President Joe Biden decided to enact the Defense Goods Act.

In particular, Saki said competing pharmaceutical companies Merck and J&J will form a “unprecedented historic step” partnership to accelerate vaccine production.

[앵커]

Germany decided to push ahead with a plan to extend the blockade to prevent the spread of Corona 19, right?

[기자]

Yes, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has decided to push ahead with a plan to extend the blockade until the 28th.

However, private gatherings that were previously only possible for one person other than a household can be made up to five people in two households, and bookstores, flower shops, and gardening markets will be considered.

Prime Minister Helge Brown said on the 2nd local time that Prime Minister Merkel agreed to propose a plan to ease the phased blockade at a meeting of the federal government and 16 governors on the 3rd.

In Germany, amid the rapid spread of the COVID-19 mutant virus, there is a growing demand to ease some of the containment measures.

[앵커]

Now, shall we find out the situation in Myanmar? What if the Myanmar military police fired live ammunition and 3 people were seriously injured?

[기자]

Yes, AFP news agency reported that three protesters were seriously injured when a live ammunition was fired in the town of Kalay in northwestern Myanmar.

It’s been two days after the worst bloodshed last Sunday in which dozens of people were killed in live ammunition by the military and police.

ASEAN countries, which held video conferences to resolve the Myanmar crisis, virtually broke the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and urged the Myanmar military government to release political prisoners such as shame torture and end violence.

However, the statement from the ASEAN chairman after the meeting presented only a principled position that urged all parties to refrain from violence and to resolve the situation peacefully through dialogue and reconciliation.

[앵커]

You said there was a nun who went out to the street to stop the violence of the public authority?

[기자]

Yes, photos of a nun who risked her life to stop harming innocent people and went to the streets are ringing in the hearts of viewers.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, chairman of the Myanmar Bishops’ Church and Archbishop of the Archbishop of Yangon, posted a number of photos on his Twitter on the 28th of last month, showing the dire situation in Myanmar.

Among these, a photograph of a nun kneeling in the middle of the road with heavily armed police forces in front of them stands out.

There is also a crying with both hands raised, asking not to use violence against the protesters.

The protagonist in the photo is Sister Ann Nu Taung from the Convent of Saint Francis Saberio in Michina, a city in northern Myanmar.

Sister Nu Taung’s courageous actions beyond her fears, and the police who tried to suppress the protests also stopped marching and put down guns.

[앵커]

You said that during the Trump administration, the White House National Security Adviser said that you should show your military mobilization ability and willingness to approach North Korea?

[기자]

Yes, former security adviser McMaster, in written data submitted to the Senate Military Commission’s hearing on the 2nd local time, insisted that countries with the same mind as the United States should adopt a maximum pressure strategy based on three principles.

He first stressed that return to the negotiating table should not be rewarded and that sanctions should be maintained until an irreversible momentum and a verifiable process towards denuclearization are secured.

He then persuaded China to implement sanctions against North Korea, and pointed out that the Chinese leadership should also be aware that North Korea’s nuclear possession is a direct threat to China as well as that it could lead to the conclusion of nuclear armament between South Korea and Japan.

Finally, former security adviser McMaster said that if necessary, he must demonstrate his ability and willingness to mobilize military force against North Korea.

He stressed that military training and preparation for an overwhelming and rapid response to North Korea’s attack is vital to successful diplomacy.