President Moon: "We will provide assistance to as many countries as possible, including COVID-19 test kits"

President Moon Jae-in is having a phone conversation with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, at the Yeomin Hall of the Blue House on the afternoon of the 13th. (Provided by the Blue House)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyo-jin] On the afternoon of the 13th, President Moon Jae-in held separate summit calls with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, and Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan, to discuss cooperation measures related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation.

Prime Minister Tshering said, "We are well aware that South Korea successfully responded to COVID-19 by quickly conducting diagnostic tests to trace and treat confirmed cases," and requested urgent support for diagnostic kits.

President Moon responded, "Our government plans to provide humanitarian support such as diagnostic kits to countries vulnerable in healthcare and assist as many countries as possible," adding, "We will actively consider Bhutan's request as well."

Prime Minister Tshering said, "President Moon visited Bhutan in 2016, and I hope he can visit again whenever there is an opportunity."

In July 2016, President Moon visited the earthquake-affected areas in Nepal to volunteer and then traveled to Bhutan, where he met with then-Prime Minister Tobgay Tshering and engaged in discussions on the topic of the 'Gross National Happiness Index.'

President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude during the call, saying, "South Korea, under President Moon's leadership and with top-notch healthcare capabilities, is achieving ideal results amid the COVID-19 pandemic," and thanked South Korea for providing humanitarian aid to Uzbekistan and dispatching one medical expert.

He continued, "We want to fully adopt South Korea's quarantine experience and system," requesting additional expert dispatch support and supplies such as diagnostic kits for quarantine.

President Moon said, "The most important factor in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis is international cooperation and solidarity," and added, "South Korea will play an active role in international solidarity for COVID-19 response."

President Moon also expressed gratitude, saying, "We appreciate Uzbekistan's cooperation in easing special entry restrictions for our businesspeople despite strict entry restrictions during the early COVID-19 situation, and in permitting temporary flights for the return of citizens of both countries."

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