Moderna COVID-19 vaccines produced by Samsung Biologics may be distributed in South Korea as early as October. 

Rep. Kang Gi-yun of the main opposition People Power Party(PPP) and members of the party's COVID-19 vaccine task force recently visited Samsung Biologics’ factory in Incheon to inspect the Moderna production site. 

The biotech firm reportedly produced one million doses of the mRNA vaccine at its local factory under a consignment production deal with Moderna, but the doses have not been shipped to any country.

Rep. Kang said on Wednesday that the lawmakers and the firm exchanged opinions on the timing and scope of the local distribution of the one million doses. 

The lawmaker expected it would be possible next month if the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety quickly approves the manufacture and sale of the vaccine. It is also contingent on if negotiations between the government and Moderna on distribution in South Korea go smoothly.

Moderna vaccines produced at the Samsung Biologics plant must be approved again in order to be manufactured for domestic supply.