Korea's COVID-19 Test Kits Donated to New York in '007 Operation'

Shinhan Financial Group's New York Affiliate Donates 5,000 Sets to Korean Community
Consulate General Steps In to Support Amid Customs Clearance Challenges
Kits Secured but Inspection Cost Issues Remain

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Shinhan Financial Group has stepped up to support the Korean community in New York City affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Cho Jung-hoon, CFO of Shinhan Bank America; Do Geon-woo, Head of Shinhan Bank New York Branch; Seo Tae-won, President of Shinhan Bank America; Jang Won-sam, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in New York; Lee Hyun-ji, President of the New York Korean Medical Association; Kim Jun-young, Head of Shinhan Financial Investment New York Corporation.

Shinhan Financial announced on the 7th (local time) that its affiliates, including Shinhan America Bank, Shinhan Bank New York Branch, and Shinhan Investment Corp., recently donated 5,000 Korean-made COVID-19 test kits to the New York Korean Medical Association (President Lee Hyun-ji).

Seo Tae-won, President of Shinhan America Bank, explained, "We decided to donate Korean-made test kits after looking for opportunities to contribute to the New York community."

This donation was not as easy as expected. Since COVID-19 test kits were treated like exhibition goods, it took nearly a week just for customs clearance.

The donor, Shinhan America Bank, was anxious because customs clearance was delayed despite the kits already having approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since this was not a government-involved donation, there were considerable difficulties in proving the final recipient, according to a bank official. The New York Consulate General (Consul General Jang Won-sam) also had to provide extensive support for the clearance of the kits.

The donated test kits will be used through Lee Hyun-ji, President of the New York Korean Medical Association. In a phone interview with Asia Economy, President Lee said, "We will use them carefully for the Korean community in New York."

New York is the region with the highest number of COVID-19 cases not only in the United States but also worldwide. However, it is still not easy to get tested. The kits delivered this time are expected to significantly help the diagnosis of Korean residents in New York.

Even with the precious test kits secured, there remains an issue. Costs are needed to confirm the test results. President Lee is considering this matter. There is a need for a way to reduce the burden on the Korean community. He indicated the need for additional support, saying, "The cost of the testing lab is considerable."

Earlier, on the 2nd, volunteers from the New York Korean Medical Association and Korean medical students conducted COVID-19 antibody tests for Korean residents and local community members at the Korean Volunteer Center in Queens, supported by local Korean businesses. About 400 people were tested, and approximately 20% showed antibody responses.

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