Korea-Colombia Video Conference... Transfer of Airport Entry/Exit and Quarantine Systems for 'COVID-19 Response'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] A video conference between Korea and Colombia was held on the 28th to share experiences on airport entry and exit and quarantine systems in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), with Kim Geon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Plata, Director of the COVID Strategy Office of the Colombian Presidential Office, serving as chief representatives.

On the Korean side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Seoul Regional Aviation Administration Office, Incheon Customs, Immigration Office, Government Quarantine Support Group, and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency participated. On the Colombian side, about 70 people from 58 related organizations attended, including the National Security Advisor to the Presidential Office, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Minister of Health, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, presidents of four international airport corporations including Bogot?, and the Colombian Ambassador to Korea.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Kim Geon mentioned that Colombia is a wartime ally in the Korean War and, as mentioned in the Korea-Colombia leaders' phone call on the 2nd, Korea intends to actively cooperate with Colombia in responding to COVID-19.

The Korean side gave detailed presentations and shared related experiences on Incheon Airport’s systems and know-how in COVID-19 response, focusing on three areas: △ formation and operation of a TF organization within the airport △ COVID FREE 3 Step departure quarantine procedures at Incheon Airport △ special entry procedures and self-quarantine apps.

During the approximately one-hour Q&A session following the presentations, the Colombian side asked various questions ranging from overall airport response systems for COVID-19 to practical and detailed technical issues. They showed great interest in matters related to special entry procedures such as the time required for entry and control methods at each entry stage, differences in entry procedures for foreigners and nationals, suspension of existing automated entry inspection, experience operating self-diagnosis apps and management methods when installing such apps is difficult, and transportation support systems for entrants.

They were also impressed by the fact that 77,000 Incheon Airport employees have been thoroughly managed and operated without a single COVID-19 infection so far, and asked focused questions about airport operation matters such as the implementation status of social distancing within the airport, disinfection and ventilation measures, and technical specifications of thermal imaging cameras.

After the Q&A session, Minister Orozco of Transportation expressed special gratitude for Korea’s sharing of experience and know-how, saying that today’s meeting was very helpful in preparing for the reopening of airports and the return of nationals amid the closure of their international airports due to COVID-19.

In response, Deputy Minister Kim Geon wished for the swift containment of COVID-19 in Colombia and the early normalization of human and economic exchanges between the two countries. He also stated that the Korean government will continue to cooperate with the Colombian government for diplomatic normalization after COVID-19, and expressed hope that this year, marking the 70th anniversary of Colombia’s participation in the Korean War, will serve as an opportunity to activate cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as FTA revitalization and IT sector cooperation.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "This meeting was the first video conference in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with related agencies, shared Korea’s exemplary entry management experience based on its advanced quarantine system. It is evaluated as having laid the foundation for expanding international cooperation in this field and enhancing bilateral health cooperation between Korea and Colombia in the future."

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