Export COVID-19 Test Kit Named 'Dokdo'? ... What Do You Think?

Export diagnostic kit named 'Dokdo'... 300,000 agree on Blue House petition
Experts say "No need to give Japan government an excuse to attack"

On the 25th, a petition titled "Please name the export COVID-19 test kit 'Dokdo'" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. Photo by Blue House National Petition screen capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] As the number of countries requesting exports of South Korea's COVID-19 diagnostic kits increases due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), a Blue House petition asking to name the diagnostic kits "Dokdo" has gained over 300,000 supporters. Experts expressed concerns that Dokdo could be perceived as an international dispute territory.

Amid the global difficulties caused by the spread of COVID-19, many countries are citing South Korea's COVID-19 prevention response as a model case. Consequently, there has been a flood of requests to import the COVID-19 diagnostic kits used domestically.

Currently, 81 countries have requested the government to supply Korean quarantine items such as COVID-19 diagnostic kits. Including the private sector, this number reaches 117 countries. The distribution of Korean-made diagnostic kits is also expected to positively impact the strengthening of the government's diplomatic capabilities.

Meanwhile, on the 25th, a Blue House petition titled "Please name the export COVID-19 diagnostic kits 'Dokdo'" appeared. As of 2 p.m. today (the 30th), five days after posting, the petition has received over 310,000 endorsements.

The petitioner stated, "Countries around the world recognize South Korea as a model case for overcoming COVID-19," and claimed, "If the diagnostic kits are exported under the name 'Dokdo,' the status of Dokdo as a guardian protecting the Earth will be greatly enhanced."

This petition has gained even greater support following the recent revelation that Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology approved a junior high school textbook stating "Dokdo is Japanese territory and that South Korea is illegally occupying it." Netizens have responded to the petition with comments such as "It's a good idea" and "An opportunity to let the world know that Dokdo is Korean territory."

Yoo Jae-hyung, CEO of the diagnostic kit manufacturer Solgent, also expressed a positive stance on naming the export diagnostic kit product "Dokdo" during an interview on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 27th.

CEO Yoo said, "If possible, we are discussing with supply companies about creating brands currently named 'K-Bio' and 'K-Diagnosis,'" adding, "We are considering creating a common brand like 'K-pop,' and naming that brand 'Dokdo' is definitely a possibility."

On the other hand, some voices expressed concerns that the global infectious disease crisis should not be exploited for political purposes.

Professor Seo Kyung-duk of the Department of Liberal Arts at Sungshin Women's University shared on his Instagram on the 28th, "The situation worldwide is extremely sensitive right now, and many people are dying and suffering for their livelihoods even at this moment. If we cooperate with the world’s quarantine efforts with pure goodwill, it could contribute more significantly to enhancing South Korea’s status."

He added, "There is no need to provide Japan’s government with a pretext for attack," and said, "Japan is trying to make Dokdo an 'international dispute territory' no matter what, so we must be careful not to get caught up in Japan’s strategy in this matter."

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