The World Focuses on 'K-Quarantine'... Government Holds 1st Meeting of 'International Quarantine Cooperation General TF'

Discussion on Systematic Response Measures Including Hosting Thematic Web Seminars

On the 21st, when the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is decreasing, the screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, is quiet. The Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that as of midnight on this day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 9 compared to midnight the previous day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government announced on the afternoon of the 27th that it held the first meeting of the International Quarantine Cooperation Task Force (TF) for COVID-19 response, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The first meeting was attended by 12 government ministries including the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Fire Agency, and National Police Agency. Additionally, five organizations including the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Korea International Health and Medical Foundation, National Medical Center, Korea International Medical Association, and Korea International Cooperation Agency also contributed.

The attendees discussed the operation plan for the International Quarantine Cooperation TF and the implementation plan for K-Quarantine themed webinars. They agreed on the need to respond systematically and effectively to international requests for sharing Korea’s quarantine experience. They also agreed to actively share Korea’s quarantine experience with the international community through webinars, video conferences, and provision of policy materials based on the three core principles of openness, transparency, and democracy.

Accordingly, at this meeting, they prepared a plan for themed webinars covering overall quarantine policies including crisis response strategies, diagnosis, isolation and epidemiological investigation, treatment, clinical experience, patient management, immigration control, and related policies (economy, education, elections). They decided to hold these webinars regularly over the next three months.

The TF will hold the first webinar on the 4th of next month focusing on health and quarantine strategy management, followed by subsequent webinars every 1 to 2 weeks.

A government official explained, "We will hold the International Quarantine Cooperation TF meetings once every two weeks to review and coordinate cooperation status, and continue to discuss ways to respond in a tailored manner to various cooperation demands by country, region, and small groups."

On the 1st, when the mandatory 2-week self-quarantine for all incoming travelers from abroad began, arrivals at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport were registering their names to board the special airport buses equipped with full quarantine measures for overseas arrivals. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

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