117 Countries Request Korean Quarantine Supplies... "Surge in Demand for Diagnostic Kits"

by Lim Chulyoung

Published 27 Mar.2020 16:08(KST)

Utilizing Both Export and Humanitarian Aid for Overseas Expansion... Considering Supply to the US, UAE, and Indonesia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches Joint TF to Support Overseas Expansion of COVID-19 Quarantine Supplies

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] It has been confirmed that 117 countries have requested the export or support of quarantine supplies such as diagnostic kits from Korea. As the demand for Korean-made quarantine supplies surges, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to actively support the overseas expansion of COVID-19 quarantine supplies by forming a joint task force (TF) with related ministries.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on the 27th, “31 countries have requested exports, 30 countries have requested humanitarian aid,” and “20 countries have requested both exports and humanitarian aid.”

He added, “There are 36 countries that have individually cooperated with private companies, making a total of 117 countries requesting quarantine supplies,” and “the government formed a joint TF to comprehensively manage these various requests.”

The demand for Korean-made diagnostic kits among quarantine supplies is increasing explosively. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to supply diagnostic kits overseas through both commercial exports and humanitarian aid. About 12 companies produce diagnostic kits, and 5 of them have obtained export permits and emergency use approvals. One box of diagnostic kits can conduct 100 tests.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, “Korean-made diagnostic kits are trusted, and demand overseas is increasing explosively,” adding, “For the gene amplification method, it is possible to export an amount sufficient for 3.3 million tests, and although the antigen-antibody method’s supply has been exhausted to the point where there is no export capacity, if production is increased, export volumes can be secured.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to support the overseas expansion of domestic diagnostic kits by utilizing both commercial exports and humanitarian aid. Priority supply will be given to the United States, where confirmed cases are rapidly increasing, and support for diagnostic kits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, and others is also under consideration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, “The number of confirmed cases in the United States is increasing explosively, and President Trump is also requesting from us,” adding, “From the perspective of the Korea-US alliance, the US should not impose entry bans on us and should conduct currency swaps, so corresponding measures are necessary.” He then mentioned the UAE, where various cooperations are taking place, and Indonesia, a key country in the New Southern Policy, stating, “We also plan to enter the United Nations (UN) procurement market additionally.”