Kang Kyung-hwa: "Xi Jinping's Visit to Korea to Take Place in First Half of This Year... Feels Responsibility Regarding COVID-19"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Won Dara] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Korea is still scheduled to take place in the first half of this year.

On the 2nd, during a National Assembly interpellation session, Minister Kang responded to a question from Baek Seung-ju, a member of the Future United Party, saying, "Regarding President Xi's visit schedule, it remains planned for the first half of this year."

When asked whether President Xi's visit caused problems in the initial response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), she said, "It is not true that President Xi's visit was a major cause of government policy regarding various entries," adding, "We are considering the most appropriate response by comprehensively reviewing our quarantine response capabilities and international community recommendations."

Minister Kang stated, "As the Foreign Minister and a member of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, I clearly feel responsible for the government's part," and added, "At that time, it was judged that our quarantine capabilities were solid, and the rapid spread was occurring in Wuhan and Hubei, but not in other areas."

She revealed that during a phone call between President Moon Jae-in and President Xi, they discussed COVID-19 response, the situations in both countries, and cooperation, as well as the visit to Korea and North Korea policy.

Regarding Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo's comment that "our citizens infect more people," she said, "There are more entries by Korean nationals than Chinese nationals, so I understand that the spread rate should be examined from that perspective."

Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young said about the domestic mask supply situation, "We acknowledge that distribution has not been smooth," and added, "Masks are an area where the public feels inconvenience, so we are thinking about resolving distribution issues and are working hard on it."

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