President Moon Thanks for Easing Business Travelers' Entry Restrictions... Uzbek Leader Says "Dispatch of Korean Medical Team Is a Great Support"

President Moon Jae-in is having a phone conversation with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, at the Cheong Wa Dae Yeomin Hall on the afternoon of the 13th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] On the 13th, President Moon Jae-in held a phone call with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and expressed gratitude for the easing of entry restrictions on Korean businesspeople. The Uzbek side expressed appreciation for the dispatch of Korean medical personnel.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, conveyed in a written briefing that President Moon said, "Despite Uzbekistan implementing strict entry restrictions during the early stages of the COVID-19 situation, they specially eased entry restrictions for our businesspeople and cooperated by allowing temporary flights for the return of citizens of both countries, for which we are grateful." The call between the two leaders was arranged at Uzbekistan's request and lasted about 25 minutes from 4 p.m. that day.

President Moon stated, "I believe that the most important thing in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis is international cooperation and solidarity," adding, "Korea will actively play a role in international solidarity for COVID-19 response." He also expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan's cooperation in operating temporary flights to support the return of citizens despite the government's full suspension of international flights and airport closures.

Following the Korean government's proposal to "ease restrictions on businesspeople entering with health certificates," Uzbekistan exempted 46 Korean businesspeople from facility quarantine upon entry in three separate instances. Additionally, Uzbekistan permitted one temporary flight per week to support the return of citizens from both countries, enabling 359 Koreans to return during March.

President Moon said, "Together, the two countries will successfully overcome the COVID-19 situation and further strengthen the Korea-Uzbekistan 'Special Strategic Partnership.'"

President Mirziyoyev expressed deep gratitude regarding the COVID-19 situation, stating, "Korea is achieving ideal results in the pandemic situation under President Moon's leadership and excellent health capabilities," and thanked Korea for providing humanitarian aid and dispatching a medical expert. He particularly noted, "The medical expert dispatched from Korea is sharing Korea's advanced quarantine know-how and treatment experience, which is greatly helping the Uzbek government and people overcome the COVID-19 crisis."

President Mirziyoyev expressed appreciation for the planned additional dispatch of Korean medical experts and requested continued expert support, establishment of cooperative systems between health authorities, and support for quarantine supplies such as diagnostic kits, saying, "We want to fully adopt Korea's quarantine experience and system." He also proposed accelerating cooperation between the two countries through resuming high-level exchanges as soon as the COVID-19 situation calms down.

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