Presidential chief of staff Yoo Young-min said Monday that 170 million COVID-19 vaccines doses will be available next year, amounting to more than three times the population of South Korea.

Speaking in a meeting of the House Steering Committee, Yoo said 80 million doses will be carried over to next year even after this year's vaccination plan is completed, adding that an additional 90 million doses will be purchased next year.

Yoo said that thanks to government-wide efforts including a visit to Moderna headquarters, the supply setback has been sorted out. 

He added that the company will provide some eight-point-three million doses, which is double its previous pledge. 

One million doses arrived Monday out of seven million to be supplied by next week. So far, nearly 26 million people or 50-point-five percent of the population has received at least one vaccine.