US Ambassador to Korea Harris: "South Korea's COVID-19 Response Very Impressive... Coordination Between Both Countries Very Important"

30-Minute Meeting with 1st Vice Foreign Minister Joseyong at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building
Vice Minister Cho Emphasizes Close Cooperation, "Rapid Increase in Confirmed Cases Marks a New Phase"

Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, is entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] "South Korea's response measures to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are very impressive."

Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea, stated this on the afternoon of the 4th during a meeting with Cho Se-young, the First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. He said, "I believe South Korea is leading the world's response to the coronavirus," and added, "It is very impressive that comprehensive measures and quarantines are being implemented step-by-step to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

In response, Vice Minister Cho emphasized, "As confirmed COVID-19 cases rapidly increase in Korea, we have entered a new phase, and therefore, the two countries should cooperate more closely to overcome COVID-19." Ambassador Harris replied, "Coordination between the two countries is very important, and only then can it lead to good results." Ambassador Harris arrived in Korea on the 3rd after attending a meeting of heads of diplomatic missions held in the United States.

The meeting between Vice Minister Cho and Ambassador Harris lasted about 30 minutes. It appears that Vice Minister Cho requested Ambassador Harris to refrain from excessive measures while discussing the recent strengthening of U.S. travel advisories.

Previously, the United States raised its travel advisory for South Korea to Level 3, "Reconsider Travel," and for Daegu specifically to the highest Level 4, "Do Not Travel." Subsequently, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) decided to implement mandatory fever screening and COVID-19 symptom questionnaires for all passengers boarding flights to the United States starting from the 5th. The fever threshold is set at 38 degrees Celsius.

Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 3rd (local time) that he is monitoring South Korea, Italy, and Japan regarding additional measures such as travel bans due to the spread of COVID-19.

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