Government Considers Humanitarian Aid to Iran... "Referencing Swiss-Style Support Plan"

Rohani, Iranian President, Reportedly Sent Letter to President Moon
Foreign Ministry "Coordinating Details with the US"
Self-Bearing of Mandatory Quarantine Costs Spreading... Foreign Ministry "Monitoring and Deciding on Basic Position"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The South Korean government is reportedly conducting intergovernmental consultations with the United States and others to support Iran, which is struggling due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). According to the Iranian Ministry of Health, as of noon on the 22nd (local time), there are 21,638 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,685 deaths in Iran, indicating a severe situation.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on the 23rd, "Since the situation in Iran is urgent, this is being carried out not as bilateral support but in the context of international cooperation," adding, "It is being conducted from an international perspective to reduce the risk of COVID-19 re-importation in the context of supporting countries vulnerable to infectious diseases."

He continued, "The United States also recognizes the need for humanitarian aid to Iran," and added, "We are closely communicating with the U.S. and coordinating the details." Iran has appealed for medical support through national and UN agencies due to difficulties in responding to COVID-19 caused by U.S. economic sanctions. Recently, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reportedly sent a letter to President Moon Jae-in requesting support.

Regarding the plan to provide quarantine supplies to Iran, it is known that the "Swiss mechanism" is being considered. The "Swiss mechanism" refers to the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA) by the Swiss government, where the U.S. Department of the Treasury guarantees to banks and companies that transactions with Iran do not violate sanctions, and banks and companies provide detailed transaction information to the Treasury.

Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's mention that aid to North Korea and Iran related to COVID-19 is possible, the official explained, "As for North Korea, I understand that discussions have not yet reached the stage of specific methodologies," adding, "It can be considered only if there is a response from North Korea."

Furthermore, concerning the increasing self-funded quarantines not only in Beijing but also in other regions of China, the senior official said, "In the case of Guangzhou, we protested and had it withdrawn," adding, "We will observe further and decide how to organize our basic stance." This is interpreted as suggesting that South Korea, which had initially insisted on government-funded support, might change its position.

From the 26th, Hawaii in the United States will mandate a 14-day quarantine for all arriving passengers, requiring individuals to bear all costs related to mandatory quarantine, including hotel stays. In Cebu, Philippines, all passengers arriving from abroad without a residence must personally bear the 14-day quarantine costs. Brunei, Burundi, Ethiopia, Benin, and others have also established policies for self-funded quarantine.

Meanwhile, on the 22nd, 1,442 people arrived from Europe, of whom 90% were confirmed to be Korean nationals. The senior official explained, "About 1,200 people are expected to arrive on the 23rd, and the overwhelming majority will likely be Korean nationals," adding, "On the 22nd, 9,298 people arrived worldwide, of which about 7,200 were our nationals."

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