Rock Band U2 Leader Sends Letter to President Moon: "World Thanks You for Life-Saving Leadership"

U2 Lead Vocalist and Humanitarian Bono Expresses Intention to Donate Korean Medical Equipment to Ireland After Purchase

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Bono, the lead vocalist of the rock band U2 and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee humanitarian activist, recently sent a letter to President Moon Jae-in, saying, "The whole world is grateful for and impressed by the life-saving leadership that Korea is showing at this very important time," according to Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House.

Bono conveyed the difficult situation in Ireland related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and expressed his intention to purchase Korean medical equipment and donate it to Ireland. In the letter, Bono said, "I deeply appreciate the president and Korea's leading role in responding to the COVID-19 crisis."

Spokesperson Kang said, "After requesting support for medical equipment for Ireland, Bono expressed his willingness to purchase the equipment himself. If there are personal protective equipment or other medical devices, diagnostic kits, etc., produced or stocked in Korea, he wants to buy them directly and donate them to Ireland."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, Irish media reported that "U2 donated 10 million euros to support medical staff fighting COVID-19 in Ireland."

Bono said, "Currently, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ireland is increasing uncontrollably," and added, "I would like to politely request that you share Korea's insight, knowledge, and above all, available equipment." Bono also said, "However, considering Korea's experience and leadership in crisis situations, I will highly value the president's advice on the best way forward." He concluded the letter by saying, "I am now more than ever a fan of the president."

In a postscript, Bono said, "The president is the only leader I have met in the past 20 years who started a conversation not with the tasks at hand but by mentioning song lyrics," and added, "I will never forget that."

In his reply to Bono's letter on the 10th, President Moon said, "My wife and I are avid fans of U2, so the meeting at the Blue House last December was a very enjoyable time, and I was especially deeply impressed by your warm heart dedicated to fighting international poverty and disease," and explained, "As you said well, our government is actively responding to COVID-19 based on high-level quarantine capabilities and strong civic awareness."

President Moon said, "Korea is actively sharing quarantine and treatment experiences and clinical data accumulated during the COVID-19 response process with the international community and is also contributing to global cooperation to support health-vulnerable countries such as those in Africa," and added, "Based on the resilience of our people who have overcome numerous crises and challenges, I believe Ireland will also wisely overcome this COVID-19 crisis."

President Moon said, "Regarding the purchase of the requested medical equipment, I will take measures to consult with our relevant authorities," and added, "I look forward to your continued great activities as a global messenger of peace."

Earlier, President Moon met Bono at the Blue House on December 9 last year. U2 held their first concert in Korea in front of about 45,000 Korean fans filling the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. U2 has performed 110 concerts with a total audience of 13.2 million and has won 22 Grammy Awards. Especially, when singing the last song "One," U2 sent a message of peace to North Korea and wished for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

During the meeting with Bono, President Moon said, "I heard that you sang 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' as the opening song and 'One' as the closing song. Not only are they musically excellent, but for Koreans, they contain messages that resonate deeply."

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