President Moon speaks with Macron... Proposes "G20 Special Virtual Summit" on COVID-19 Response

President Macron's Visit to Korea Planned Within the Year

President Moon Jae-in is having a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on the afternoon of the 13th at the Cheong Wa Dae Yeomin Building.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] On the 13th, President Moon Jae-in had a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron and proposed that "holding a special video summit at the level of the Group of Twenty (G20) would be good" to respond to the globally spreading novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), White House spokesperson Kang Min-seok conveyed. Both leaders shared recognition of the seriousness of the current COVID-19 situation and exchanged views on cooperation measures between the two countries to overcome it.

Spokesperson Kang stated in a written briefing that "President Moon had a 35-minute phone call from 6:45 PM to 7:20 PM at the request of President Macron," revealing this. President Moon's proposal came in response to President Macron's request for "strengthening cooperation at the G20 level."

President Macron agreed with President Moon's proposal, saying, "Let's work to put it into practice," and expressed "France's solidarity in responding to COVID-19."

President Moon also explained the special entry procedures to be additionally applied from midnight on the 15th to five European countries (Germany, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands), stating, "This is not to restrict exchanges with Europe but to prevent the inflow of the coronavirus into the country through fever checks upon entry and mandatory installation of a mobile self-diagnosis application, as well as to ensure the safety of foreign entrants."

Furthermore, President Moon said, "Our government has accumulated extensive experience and clinical data in the process of COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and we are willing to actively share this with the international community." He also emphasized international cooperative efforts for vaccine and treatment development and joint efforts to restore the global economy.

President Macron said, "I pay tribute to the Korean government for overcoming COVID-19 through transparent and efficient methods," and added, "France also wants to learn from and share experiences of the excellent measures Korea is successfully taking." He requested sharing Korea's response experience related to the COVID-19 situation and strengthening cooperation in health and hygiene, economic, and financial fields at the G20 level to minimize the negative impacts of COVID-19.

The phone call between the two leaders also included discussions on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. President Moon explained the recent situation on the peninsula and said, "We will strive to realize practical measures to promote inter-Korean cooperation." In response, President Macron said, "I once again pay tribute to President Moon for courageously advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "Please feel free to request France's assistance whenever needed."

Spokesperson Kang said, "The two leaders also exchanged views on bilateral interests such as climate change and energy cooperation and agreed to closely cooperate in the future," and added, "The two leaders agreed to promote President Macron's visit to Korea within this year once COVID-19 subsides."

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