79 Iranian Residents Complete Quarantine at KOICA Training Center and 'Discharge'

Chairman Lee Mi-kyung Visits Training Center to Console Iranian Residents

Koreans living in Iran and their families are moving to board a vehicle heading to the KOICA Training Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province after returning home through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on the 19th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seventy-nine Iranian expatriates who were quarantined at the KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) facility in Seongnam City after returning to Korea to avoid the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) safely returned home on the 3rd after completing their quarantine period. It has been 16 days since they were admitted to the KOICA Training Center temporary living facility on the 19th of last month.

KOICA announced that the 79 Iranian expatriates who had been quarantined at the training center took a bus arranged by KOICA at 10 a.m. that day and returned home through pre-designated locations.

Before the Iranian expatriates were discharged that day, KOICA Chairman Lee Mi-kyung, Director Song Jin-ho of the Social Value Management Headquarters, Director Park Jae-shin of the Business Strategy and Asia Headquarters, Director Baek Sook-hee of the Africa, Middle East, and Latin America Headquarters, and Director Song Woong-yeop of the Global Partnership Headquarters visited the KOICA Training Center to encourage KOICA volunteers and related staff and comfort the Iranian expatriates.

Chairman Lee Mi-kyung said, "It is truly fortunate that they can leave in good health after 16 days of frustrating quarantine life," adding, "Wherever you are in the world, KOICA wishes for your well-being and health." She also said, "There are many KOICA volunteer staff who quietly performed their roles behind the scenes to manage the self-quarantine facility," and added, "Their help and roles were truly significant."

Chairman Lee presented the Iranian expatriates with eco-bags, tumblers, and travel pouch sets as gifts. When the bus carrying the expatriates left the KOICA Training Center, KOICA headquarters staff in Seongnam held banners saying, "We sincerely congratulate the healthy discharge of the Iranian expatriates. You worked very hard. Always stay healthy," waving their hands and sending warm farewell greetings to the expatriates.

One Iranian expatriate said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KOICA, who willingly decided to provide KOICA’s office facilities for the Iranian expatriates, and to the KOICA volunteers," adding, "Although the quarantine life was frustrating, KOICA provided many conveniences, so I leave with many good memories. I will not forget this."

Jung Yoon-gil, head of KOICA’s Operations Support Office, who oversaw the management of the self-quarantine facility at the KOICA Training Center for the past 16 days, said, "I am very happy that the Iranian expatriates can return safely. It is as delightful as seeing the healthy appearance of my own family again."

Meanwhile, the 79 Iranian expatriates who were admitted on the 19th of last month underwent COVID-19 testing twice, both upon admission and discharge. KOICA plans to carry out disinfection work inside and around the building after all expatriates and support personnel have been discharged.

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