Denmark Health Minister Apologizes for Refusing to Purchase Korean COVID-19 Test Kits

▲Magnus Heunicke, Danish Minister of Health [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] A humorous incident occurred where the Danish health minister apologized after Denmark's health authorities reportedly rejected a proposal to purchase COVID-19 diagnostic kits from a Korean company two weeks ago.

According to the Danish daily Berlingske on the 25th (local time), Magnus Heunicke, Denmark's Minister of Health, apologized at a press conference on COVID-19 response held on the 23rd, stating that the health authorities had not responded appropriately to the recent Korean proposal to purchase diagnostic kits and sample analysis equipment.

Minister Heunicke said, "I want to apologize for the health authorities' failure to respond quickly and accurately to a specific proposal."

This followed local media reports that Danish health authorities had rejected proposals from Korean officials to purchase COVID-19 diagnostic kits from a Korean company two weeks ago.

After this fact became known, some political parties in Denmark called it a "fatal mistake" and demanded explanations from the health minister.

The Danish government initially limited COVID-19 testing to healthcare workers or those with severe symptoms but revised its stance on the 23rd to expand the testing targets.

However, reports continue from various regions that there is even a shortage of diagnostic kits to test healthcare workers.

Minister Heunicke stated that he would try to reestablish contact with the Korean company through the Korean embassy in Denmark.

Meanwhile, according to the real-time COVID-19 status from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, there are 1,728 confirmed cases and 32 deaths in Denmark.

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