$300,000 to IAEA to Transfer 'K-Quarantine' to Developing Countries

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The globally recognized 'K-Quarantine' system, which gained attention due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will be transferred to developing countries. On the 24th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that, at the request of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute will share their COVID-19 response expertise with IAEA member countries and provide a special contribution fund of $300,000.

The Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences will transfer its experience in COVID-19 response from the northeastern Seoul area to developing countries. It will share know-how on hospital access control, screening clinics, and safe clinics with medical personnel and public health policy officials from developing countries. It has not yet been decided whether these individuals will be invited to Korea or if domestic researchers will travel abroad.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute will provide training on sterilization standards (radiation dose, frequency, etc.) for personal protective equipment (surgical masks, gloves) to medical personnel in developing countries using radiation sterilization equipment.

Additionally, the government will conduct training on the use of computed tomography (CT) equipment for diagnosing and interpreting lung diseases caused by coronavirus infections for medical personnel in developing countries. Following the IAEA's request, a special contribution fund of $300,000 will be provided. The United States has supported $6 million, and China has provided in-kind support worth $2 million.

Minister of Science and ICT Choi Ki-young stated, "Despite the severe crisis of COVID-19, our country's quarantine system has become the global standard, elevating Korea's national status higher than ever before. The payment of this special contribution and the execution of follow-up projects will greatly help strengthen our role as a responsible member of the global community, matching our elevated status."

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