Prime Minister Jeong Talks with Colombian Vice President... Diplomacy for 'Globalizing K-Quarantine'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun held a phone call on the 11th with Marta Lucia RAMIREZ, Vice President of Colombia, embarking on his third diplomatic effort to globalize the ‘K-Quarantine’.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, during the call with Vice President RAMIREZ, Prime Minister Chung exchanged broad opinions on sharing experiences related to COVID-19 and cooperation measures between Korea and Colombia for response efforts.

This call, made at the request of the Colombian side, is the third following calls with the Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and the Russian Prime Minister. Vice President RAMIREZ expressed gratitude for the Korean government’s measures such as support for diagnostic kits and quarantine supplies, and mask support for veterans, stating, "We are benchmarking Korea’s exemplary COVID-19 response in Colombia’s quarantine efforts."

In response, Prime Minister Chung said, "It has been about a month since our country implemented social distancing in daily life, and we continue to emphasize that distancing is the best vaccine to maintain daily life," introducing Korea’s quarantine response including the 3T strategy of Test, Trace, and Treat, as well as ongoing measures for school reopening, social normalization, and economic support for affected industries.

He also mentioned, "Since we have experienced COVID-19 ahead of others, we will actively strive to assist Colombia by sharing on-site quarantine experiences."

Prime Minister Chung expressed appreciation for Colombia’s participation as a founding member of the group of friendly countries launched under the leadership of the Korean government within the UN and UNESCO to discuss countermeasures against hate, discrimination, and human rights violations caused by COVID-19 and to promote international cooperation. He also stated that both countries will continue to cooperate internationally to overcome the common global health crisis of COVID-19.

Vice President RAMIREZ said, "We are working to recover Colombia’s economy, which has been difficult due to the spread of COVID-19," and expressed hope for revitalizing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries and expanding investment and entry of major Korean companies into Colombia.

She further added, "Along with traditional agriculture and food industries, we hope to strengthen cooperation with Korea in areas Colombia is focusing on for future national development, such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution," proposing to establish a digital cooperation system in language and cultural education to promote friendship between the peoples of both countries.

In response, Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "In a situation where countries are facing economic difficulties due to COVID-19, preparing to lead a V-shaped recovery is more important than anything."

He continued, "I hope that investment and cooperation projects in Colombia, which Korean companies are interested in through the Korea-Colombia FTA, will proceed smoothly," and requested Colombia’s support for Korea’s bid to become an associate member of the Pacific Alliance (PA) to expand the economic territory of Korean companies.

Meanwhile, Vice President RAMIREZ expressed regret that the planned visits to Korea this year by President Duque and herself were canceled due to COVID-19 and internal circumstances in Colombia, saying, "I hope COVID-19 will subside soon and that President Duque’s visit to Korea will be realized."

President Duque’s planned visit to Korea in April this year was postponed due to domestic circumstances in Colombia, and Vice President RAMIREZ’s attendance at the Veterans Affairs Ministers’ meeting marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War in June was also canceled due to COVID-19.

Prime Minister Chung replied, "I look forward to the visits of President Duque and Vice President RAMIREZ to Korea being realized at mutually convenient times as conditions allow."

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