The World Focuses on 'K-Quarantine'... Government Launches 'International Cooperation TF' to Actively Support the Global Community

Exports of Diagnostic Kits Accelerate Through Various Channels
Requests Continue for Sharing of Masks, Protective Clothing, and Quarantine Systems

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held on the 21st at the Seoul Situation Center in the Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Korean government is set to fully activate an international cooperation task force (TF) to support Korea's quarantine supplies and quarantine system, which are attracting global attention, to the world. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the TF is expected to serve as an opportunity to support quarantine-vulnerable countries or allied nations and enhance Korea's diplomatic status.

On the 21st, government officials including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they have established and are operating the international cooperation TF, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Multilateral Diplomacy Coordinator. This organization aims to share Korea's COVID-19 response system, known as 'K-Quarantine,' with the international community and will encompass the previously operating Mask TF and Diagnostic Kit TF. A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "There was a sense of urgency to establish an internal system capable of responding to international cooperation," adding, "The TF was set up to effectively respond to foreign requests."

The formation of this TF appears to reflect the will of Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. On the 17th, during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19, Prime Minister Chung instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pursue various measures to share the K-Quarantine model with the world.

The role of the government-operated TF is expected to expand further. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously formed an intergovernmental TF to respond to the increasing requests for import and support of Korean-made diagnostic kits from over 126 countries. At the end of last month, following a request from President Donald Trump, a channel was opened through diplomatic means to export products from three domestic companies to the United States for the first time.

Exports of diagnostic kits are being actively promoted through various channels. The Indian Embassy in Korea signed a purchase contract for new rapid diagnostic kits with Humasis, a specialized in vitro diagnostics company. Humasis plans to supply 500,000 test units of rapid diagnostic kits in four shipments starting from the 30th. Middle Eastern and African countries such as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ethiopia, and Gabon have already received or are scheduled to import Korean-made diagnostic kits.

In addition to diagnostic kits, many countries have continued to request sharing of quarantine systems, including supplies such as masks and protective suits. President Moon Jae-in received support requests during calls with leaders from more than 20 countries, and requests have been pouring in at international consultations at the vice-ministerial level, including from Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.

Due to domestic supply constraints, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also took action regarding the limited export of masks, instructing a review of sending masks to the six countries that participated in the Korean War, including the United States and Japan. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated that while mask support to the U.S. and Japan is not yet at the relief stage, "Veterans have a special relationship with us, and considering the special background, they must be given the highest priority."

With the full activation of the intergovernmental international cooperation TF, Korea's diplomatic status is also expected to be enhanced. A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "If we have the capacity, we should contribute to the international community," adding, "The enhancement of national prestige and diplomatic status naturally follows as a result."

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